New Rule! U.S. visa applicants must now apply in their home country, State Department.

Highlights: U.S. Updates Visa Interview Rules for Non-immigrant Applicants

• All U.S. non-immigrant visa applicants are now required to schedule their interview in their country of citizenship or legal residence.
• The new rule applies across all major visa categories, including student visas (F-1), visitor visas (B1/B2), work visas (H-1B), specialty visas (O-1), and exchange visitor visas (J-1).
• The previous flexibility that allowed applicants to book interview slots in third countries has been officially withdrawn.
• Many Indian applicants had been using this option to reduce long waiting times in India by securing appointments in countries such as Thailand, Singapore, or Germany.
• With India already experiencing visa appointment wait times exceeding 500 days for visitor visas, the change is expected to add further pressure on local U.S. consulates.

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No More Shortcuts: U.S. Ends Third-Country Visa Interview Flexibility

• Indian applicants can no longer book U.S. visa interviews in third countries and must apply only in India or their country of residence.
• The change applies to all non-immigrant visa categories, including student, visitor, work, specialty, and exchange visas.
• Earlier, many Indians secured faster appointments in countries like Thailand, Singapore, and Germany to avoid long delays.
• With wait times in India already stretching beyond 500 days for visitor visas, the demand for slots is expected to increase sharply.
• Students, professionals, and business travelers will now need to plan much earlier to align their visa applications with academic or work deadlines.

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U.S. Department of State mandates in-person interviews for all US visas, with immediate effect.
 

Why Early Planning is Now Crucial for U.S. Visa Applicants from India

The new U.S. visa interview rule makes one thing very clear, Indian applicants must prepare smarter and earlier than ever before. With the option to book appointments in third countries now closed, the demand on U.S. consulates in India is expected to surge.

India is already one of the busiest countries for U.S. visa processing. In 2023 alone, more than 1.4 million U.S. visas were issued to Indians, including a record 140,000 student visas. This makes Indian nationals the largest group of international students in the United States

For students planning to join U.S. universities, professionals applying for work visas, and families preparing for visits, this change means careful planning is essential. Applicants should keep track of appointment availability, gather their documents early, and allow extra time for processing.

With visitor visa wait times already exceeding 500 days in India, the competition for slots is only expected to grow. The key takeaway for Indian applicants is to stay informed, act quickly, and plan well in advance to avoid disruptions to their study, work, or travel plans.
 

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