The US Department of State has announced significant changes to the visa interview process, effective November 1, 2025. Here’s what you need to know
– Interviews in Country of Residence: All immigrant visa applicants must attend interviews in their designated consular district or country of residence. This change aims to streamline the process and enhance security protocols.
– Limited Exceptions: Rare exceptions may be granted for humanitarian or medical emergencies, but these will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
– No Flexible Interview Locations: Applicants will no longer have the flexibility to choose their interview location. They must attend interviews at their designated post.
– Impact on DV-2026 Applicants: Diversity Visa lottery winners for the DV-2026 program year are also subject to these new rules.
– Existing Appointments: Current appointments will generally not be rescheduled or canceled. However, applicants who wish to transfer their interview to a different consular district must contact the National Visa Center.

Designated Posts for Specific Countries:

– Afghanistan: Islamabad
– Belarus :Warsaw
– Eritrea: Addis Ababa or Nairobi
– Haiti: Nassau
– Iran: Abu Dhabi, Ankara, or Yerevan
– Libya: Tunis
– Niger: Abidjan
– North Korea: Guangzhou
– Russia: Warsaw, Almaty, or Tashkent
– Somalia: Nairobi
– South Sudan: Nairobi
– Sudan: Cairo
– Syria: Amman or Beirut (for Palestinians with Syrian Travel Documents)
– Venezuela: Bogota
– Yemen: Djibouti
– Zimbabwe: Johannesburg

Additional Requirements:

– Children Under 14 and Adults Above 79: Interviews are now mandatory for these age groups.
– Documentation: Applicants may need to provide additional documentation if they request an interview outside their designated consular district or country of nationality