US Tightens Nonimmigrant Visas: India Faces Mandatory Interviews, Fees

The United States has tightened nonimmigrant visa rules, closing a path many Indian students, visitors, and professionals relied on to cope with long wait times at home. Effective September 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of State ordered that all applicants must complete visa interviews only in their country of residence or citizenship. For Indians, that means applying in India — not in third countries like Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, or the UAE.

The new policy, paired with a near-universal return to mandatory in‑person interviews from September 2, 2025, removes the pandemic‑era flexibilities that helped clear backlogs. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the shift will likely reshape travel plans, campus timelines, and business trips for thousands.

What changed and why it matters

• Consular posts worldwide will no longer accept cases filed for convenience (i.e., applicants who do not reside or hold legal status in that country).
• The Department of State says this standardizes screening, concentrates resources, and reduces forum shopping for faster appointments.
• Practically, demand that once spilled into regional hubs now returns home, funneling every B‑1/B‑2 visitor, H‑1B or O‑1 worker, F‑1 or J‑1 student, and dependents into already packed appointment calendars in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.

Key effect: applicants who previously booked quicker interviews abroad must now compete for slots in India, where waits are already long.

Return to mandatory in‑person interviews

• Starting September 2, 2025, almost all applicants must appear for in‑person interviews.
• Pandemic-era waivers (e.g., “drop box” renewals and many age‑based exceptions) have been largely removed.
• Narrow carve‑outs remain for certain diplomatic or official visas, but consular officers retain discretion to require interviews even for cases that technically meet limited waiver criteria.

Impacts:
– More travel within India, more time off work or school, and more planning to gather documents for each family member.
– Increased logistical and financial burden for families, students, and seniors.

New fees and digital screening

• A non‑waivable $250 “Visa Integrity Fee” will be added to most nonimmigrant categories, on top of standard consular fees. The fee is authorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and is intended to fund enhanced security reviews and administrative needs.
• digital checks: as of early 2025, applicants are expected to make social media profiles public for review. This is framed as part of enhanced screening to verify histories and protect national security.

Practical tips on digital checks:
– Review old posts for accuracy and consistency with your application.
– Be ready to explain usernames, aliases, or gaps if asked.
– Lawyers advise cleaning up profiles and documenting multiple accounts.

Who is most affected

• Students: interview dates tie directly to course start times, housing deposits, and tuition deadlines. Missed reporting dates can lead to deferrals, loss of scholarships, or higher living costs.
• Professionals: project timelines, client meetings, and kickoffs may need rescheduling.
• Elderly parents and family visitors: peak festival seasons and limited slots add uncertainty and stress.

Specific strains on families

• Removal of age‑based waivers means parents, children, and seniors who previously used “drop box” renewals or exemptions must now attend in‑person interviews.
• Families face added travel, childcare, caregiving challenges, and accommodation costs — sometimes rivaling the visa fees themselves.
• Even renewals may require more evidence and careful interview preparation to avoid refusals.

Proposed policy shifts affecting students

• Some proposals under review would move categories (F, J, I) from flexible duration of status toward fixed periods.
• If implemented, students might need frequent extensions or exits/reentries for academic needs, increasing uncertainty.
• Students should prepare thorough financial documents, clear study plans, and timelines that justify their intended U.S. stay.

Business travel implications

• Companies relying on rapid travel for client meetings, training, or installations should consider:
  1. Remote alternatives or staggered plans to reduce risk.
  2. Early, strong support letters from HR and employers.
  3. Confirmed return dates and detailed travel histories for interview success.
• For B‑1/B‑2 travel, consider spreading responsibilities across multiple travelers to reduce dependence on a single visa approval.

Practical preparation checklist

For families:
– Gather proof of strong ties to India: property records, employer letters confirming return dates, school enrollment letters, family affidavits.
– Seniors: bring medical insurance proof and clear itineraries.
– Answer interview questions honestly and directly; show round‑trip bookings and travel dates.

For students:
– Build a simple, consistent narrative: why this program, how you will pay, why you’ll return to India.
– Carry organized documents: admission letters, fee receipts, scholarship letters, bank statements, sponsor letters, research or internship plans.
– If you earlier attempted third‑country processing, be upfront and explain you are now applying in India.

For employers:
– Align offer letters with travel dates and job duties to match what applicants state at interviews.
– Stagger deployment dates and create backup coverage plans.

For all applicants:
– Prepare clean, consistent paperwork.
– Keep social media public and aligned with your application.
– Expect questions about intent and finances; prepare concise, direct answers.

Financial impact examples

• A non‑waivable $250 fee per person quickly adds up. For a family of four applying for short‑term visits, this adds $1,000 before regular visa fees, plus airfare to consulate city, hotels, and lost work time.
• Students relying on loans or savings may need to rework finance plans and consider additional borrowing for unexpected fees.

Operational and systemic concerns

• Critics argue India’s appointment system is already stretched; eliminating third‑country processing without adding capacity risks choking legitimate travel.
• Supporters maintain that concentrated processing improves oversight and reduces uneven outcomes.
• Timing is problematic: directives arrived close to peak student intake and major Indian festivals, creating bottlenecks with few immediate workarounds.

What to watch and where to get official updates

• Monitor the Department of State for visa news and procedural changes: U.S. Department of State – Visa News.
• Avoid unverified social media rumors and paid “expedite” offers that promise impossible timelines.
• For urgent or complex cases, consult a qualified immigration lawyer.

Contingency and planning recommendations

1. Start early: collect documents and book the earliest available slot.
2. Coordinate with school international offices or HR teams for support letters and flexibility.
3. Prepare contingency plans—defer to a later term, reschedule projects, or plan virtual alternatives.
4. Save receipts and correspondence if you must cancel third‑country bookings; ask schools about updated I‑20 reporting windows or online start options.
5. Maintain transparency and honesty at interviews; officers value clear, realistic plans.

Important reminder: consular officers are enforcing a policy shift, not conducting a personal campaign against travelers from India. Clear plans and honest answers remain the best strategy.

The end of third‑country options closes one door but encourages better preparation. In this new system, patience and preparation are your best allies.