New U.S. Immigrant Visa Interview Rules 2025 – Based on Place of Residence
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Starting Nov 1, 2025, U.S. visa interviews will be scheduled only in your country of residence or citizenship. Learn what to do — with guaranteed visa support.
New U.S. Visa Interview Rules Starting November 1, 2025: Appointments Only at Place of Residence
Starting November 1, 2025, the U.S. Department of State is implementing new rules for immigrant visa processing. From this date, visa interviews must be held only in the consular district of the applicant’s current place of residence, or, by request, in their country of citizenship.
This change affects citizens of 16 countries, including Russia and Belarus, and marks the end of the previous flexibility to choose a more convenient U.S. consulate for interviews. For many applicants, this means adapting to stricter, more centralized procedures.
Starting November 1, 2025, the U.S. Department of State is implementing new rules for immigrant visa processing. From this date, visa interviews must be held only in the consular district of the applicant’s current place of residence, or, by request, in their country of citizenship.
This change affects citizens of 16 countries, including Russia and Belarus, and marks the end of the previous flexibility to choose a more convenient U.S. consulate for interviews. For many applicants, this means adapting to stricter, more centralized procedures.
What Has Changed: Interviews Now Assigned by Place of Residence
Under the new policy, applicants must attend their visa interview in the U.S. embassy or consulate responsible for their current country of residence. A request
to attend the interview in one’s country of citizenship is allowed — but only if formally submitted and approved by the National Visa Center (NVC).
Choosing a third country for interview — such as a location with faster processing times — will now be permitted only in rare cases, such as humanitarian, medical, or foreign policy-related reasons.
These rules apply to all immigrant visa categories, including Diversity Visa (DV) lottery winners for DV-2026. The result is a more rigid, region-based visa interview system with fewer options and less flexibility for the applicant.
to attend the interview in one’s country of citizenship is allowed — but only if formally submitted and approved by the National Visa Center (NVC).
Choosing a third country for interview — such as a location with faster processing times — will now be permitted only in rare cases, such as humanitarian, medical, or foreign policy-related reasons.
These rules apply to all immigrant visa categories, including Diversity Visa (DV) lottery winners for DV-2026. The result is a more rigid, region-based visa interview system with fewer options and less flexibility for the applicant.
Countries Affected by the New Policy
The new rules apply to nationals of the following 16 countries:
For Russian and Belarusian citizens, this means the end of the ability to choose an alternate consulate (like Yerevan, Tbilisi, or Almaty) — even if they hold visas for these countries.
- Russia – interview only in Warsaw (Poland) or Tashkent (Uzbekistan) (for certain categories like IR-5)
- Belarus – interview only in Warsaw
- Other countries: Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, Libya, Eritrea, Zimbabwe, Niger, and others
For Russian and Belarusian citizens, this means the end of the ability to choose an alternate consulate (like Yerevan, Tbilisi, or Almaty) — even if they hold visas for these countries.
How the New Interview Scheduling Works
All immigrant visa cases will continue to be processed through the National Visa Center (NVC), which will now assign interview locations based strictly on residency.
If an applicant wishes to attend an interview in their country of citizenship instead, they must submit a request via the NVC Public Inquiry Form. Applicants should not contact consulates directly — only NVC handles such matters.
If a case has already been scheduled and the applicant wishes to change the consular post, a formal request must be made to NVC. Approved changes are rare and require documentation justifying the request.
If an applicant wishes to attend an interview in their country of citizenship instead, they must submit a request via the NVC Public Inquiry Form. Applicants should not contact consulates directly — only NVC handles such matters.
If a case has already been scheduled and the applicant wishes to change the consular post, a formal request must be made to NVC. Approved changes are rare and require documentation justifying the request.
What This Means for DV-2026 Applicants
These changes are particularly important for Green Card lottery winners (DV-2026). They too must attend interviews in the country where they live, not wherever is most convenient.
Early planning and careful preparation will be essential — especially for those who live outside their country of citizenship or in countries without a functioning U.S. consulate.
Early planning and careful preparation will be essential — especially for those who live outside their country of citizenship or in countries without a functioning U.S. consulate.
We Provide Guaranteed Visa Support
Navigating the U.S. immigration process is never easy, and now it’s even more complex. But you don’t have to do it alone — we provide guaranteed visa services.
- Full case preparation and support
- Document review and submission
- Official requests to NVC if your interview location needs to be changed
- Real guidance at every step — from DS-260 to visa in hand
Conclusion
From November 1, 2025, the U.S. visa system will become more rigid: interviews only at your place of residence or citizenship. Russia and Belarus are on the list, and options will be limited. Let us help you navigate the new system — with full support and guaranteed success. Book your consultation today.