New Restrictions on Nonimmigrant Visas Appointments

By: Ashima Chock

Continuing its trend with tightening visa procedures, the U.S. Department of State announced, on September 6, 2025, that effective immediately most applicants for Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV) should schedule their visa appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence.

Applicants with already schedule appointments outside of their country of nationality or residence, “Third-Country Nationals” (TCN), will generally not be cancelled, but applicants may be subject to longer wait times and more scrutiny. If the applicant already has a TCN visa appointment, they are allowed to reschedule it to a U.S. consulate in their country of nationality or residence, but their application fees will not be transferred or refunded.

Applicants of countries where the U.S. government is not conducting routine NIV operations must apply at the designated embassy or consulate.

See list below to determine the designated locations for NIV locations:

 

Country of Nationality or Residence	Designated Locations(s)
Afghanistan	Islamabad
Belarus	Vilnius, Warsaw
Chad	Yaoundé
Cuba	Georgetown
Haiti	Nassau
Iran	Dubai
Libya	Tunis
Niger	Ouagadougou
Russia	Astana, Warsaw
Somalia	Nairobi
South Sudan	Nairobi
Sudan	Cairo
Syria	Amman
Ukraine	Krakow, Warsaw
Venezuela	Bogota
Yemen	Riyadh
Zimbabwe	Johannesburg

 

Above states restrictions do not apply to Applicants for A, G, NATO, C-2/3, and other diplomatic or official type visas and may be waived in rare instances for humanitarian, medical emergency, or foreign policy circumstances.

For any questions or assistance please contact your trusted Chugh, LLP immigration professional.