The United States has tightened its non-immigrant visa process, mandating applicants to attend interviews only in their country of nationality or residence.
The policy, announced on September 6 by the U.S. State Department, seeks to streamline security checks while reducing application backlogs. It also cancels the previous option of applying in third countries when local appointment slots were unavailable.
Nationals of countries where the U.S. has limited consular presence must use designated embassies, such as Afghans in Islamabad, Belarusians in Vilnius or Warsaw, Iranians in Dubai, Russians in Astana or Warsaw, Venezuelans in Bogotá, and Yemenis in Riyadh.
Three critical points accompany the directive: proof of residence is now mandatory; fees are non-transferable and non-refundable; and appointment delays are expected when applying outside one’s home country.
Although humanitarian and foreign policy exceptions remain possible, the new rules will significantly affect Nigerians and other applicants who previously sought faster processing abroad.
