The U.S. government has announced a major change in its visa policy, and it’s already sparking reactions worldwide. As of September 6, 2025, all applicants for non-immigrant visas (NIV) — such as tourist, student, and work visas — must attend their visa interviews only in their country of nationality or their country of legal residence.
What Changed?
Previously, if someone couldn’t secure an appointment date in their home country, they had the option of “visa shopping” — applying for a U.S. visa interview slot in another country with faster or easier availability. For example, Nigerians often booked interviews in Ghana, South Africa, or the UK when slots at home were unavailable.
This new policy ends that practice. Now, you cannot choose another country’s embassy or consulate unless you are a legal resident there.
Key Points to Know
Effective Date: September 6, 2025
Who It Affects: All non-immigrant visa applicants (tourist, student, business, work visas, etc.)
Rule: Interviews must be conducted only in your home country or where you legally reside.
What’s Not Affected: Immigrant visas (green card cases) are not included in this change.
Why Are People Upset?
The backlash has been swift. Many applicants feel this policy is restrictive and unfair. Here’s why:
Fewer options: No more applying in a third country just because slots are faster there.
Longer waiting times: In high-demand countries like Nigeria or India, appointment backlogs may get worse.
Loss of flexibility: For years, applicants relied on “visa shopping” as a workaround to speed up the process.
For applicants in busy countries, this could mean months or even years of waiting for an appointment, especially for students and business travelers on tight timelines.
Final Thoughts
This policy shift signals that the U.S. wants tighter control over its visa process — but for applicants, it may feel like another hurdle. Whether it’s about “fairness” or simply managing consular workload, one thing is clear: the days of hopping across borders for quicker U.S. visa interviews are officially over.
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