New U.S. NIV Rules Sept 2025: Interviews Mandatory in Home Country

(UNITED STATES) The U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs has moved to standardize where people apply for nonimmigrant visas, rolling out new rules in early September 2025 that push most applicants toward in-person appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or legal residence. The policy shift, effective between September 2 and September 6, 2025, also ends the broad “Dropbox” interview waiver program for many categories, including students and workers, and tightens third-country appointment practices. Consular posts are warning of longer waits for those who try to apply outside their home or residence country without proof of legal residency.

Under the changes, people applying for F-1 student visas, H-1B work visas, and most other nonimmigrant visas will need to book an in-person interview and appear at the appropriate post, even if they previously qualified for an interview waiver. State Department guidance emphasizes uniformity and security, and signals an end to “visa shopping,” where applicants chased faster appointments in third countries. VisaVerge.com reports that consulates expecting surges—especially in high-demand countries—are urging applicants to start earlier and prepare for tighter document checks at the interview stage.

Policy changes overview

The two core shifts are location and interviews.

• Location: Applicants must schedule their interview at a post in their country of nationality or their country of legal residence. If applying in a third country, you must show proof of legal residence there (for example, a residency permit). Even with proof, wait times may be longer and approvals harder.
• Interviews: The broad interview waiver program is withdrawn for most categories. That affects F-1, H-1B, and many other temporary visas that had waivers during and after the pandemic.

Officials note limited exceptions where the U.S. does not conduct routine nonimmigrant visa operations. In those cases the department designates specific posts to handle those nationals:

• Afghans: Islamabad (Pakistan)
• Cubans: Georgetown (Guyana)
• Iranians: Dubai (UAE)
• Russians: Astana (Kazakhstan) or Warsaw (Poland)
• Venezuelans: Bogotá (Colombia)

These are exceptions rather than broad permissions to apply anywhere. Applicants still must follow the designated routes. According to VisaVerge.com analysis, consulates that used to see heavy third-country demand should see fewer outside applications, while local posts in home or residence countries will carry more of the load.

Key dates and limits:

• From September 2, 2025: in-person interviews required for nearly all categories.
• From September 6, 2025: interview scheduling is limited to the country of nationality or legal residence.
• Age-based exemptions (children under 14, seniors over 79) are no longer the norm under the current framework.
• Fees remain non-refundable and non-transferable if an interview is scheduled at a post not permitted under the rules.

Impact on applicants

Students, workers, and frequent travelers will feel these changes first. Examples of the immediate effects:

• F-1 students who relied on the “Dropbox” option to renew visas or used third countries for speed must now attend in-person interviews and apply from home or residence countries.
• H-1B professionals lose the flexibility to seek faster third-country dates, affecting travel during cross-border project moves.
• Other temporary visa holders should assume the same: plan for an interview and book it locally.

Real-world consequences for timing and logistics:

• Longer wait times at busy home-country posts, particularly where demand is high.
• Proof of legal residence required if applying outside your nationality country; lack of it may mean denial of appointment or extra delays.
• Non-refundable fees risk if you schedule in an ineligible country. Attempting to bypass rules can cost time and money.
• Passport collection practices vary by country (e.g., India discontinued third-party collection; applicants must collect passports in person or pay for home delivery).

Financial and policy changes to plan for:

• Expected $250 “visa integrity fee” as early as October 1, 2025 (under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act).
• ESTA fee for Visa Waiver Program travelers rising from $21 to $40 on September 30, 2025.
• A possible visa bond pilot requiring a refundable bond of $5,000–$15,000 for certain B-1/B-2 applicants from Malawi and Zambia.

These measures increase the overall cost and complexity of travel planning for families and employers.

Reactions and concerns:

• The State Department frames the change as a push for uniform procedures and better security.
• Immigration lawyers and HR teams warn that employers must plan earlier for start dates, renewals, and business travel.
• Universities worry about longer queues complicating arrival schedules for international students near semester start dates.

Context: The rollback continues a trend away from pandemic-era flexibility. From 2020–2023, interview waivers expanded to clear backlogs. Policies tightened through 2024–2025, culminating in the near-total rollback in September 2025. Observers note this aligns with a security-first approach that prioritizes in-person review.

Implementation and next steps — a practical plan

Applicants should adopt this simple plan:

1. Identify the correct post
   • For most: the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of nationality or where you hold legal residence.
   • If your country lacks routine U.S. visa services, use the designated posts listed above.
2. Prepare documents early
   • Be ready to show proof of legal residence if applying outside your nationality country.
   • Gather employment letters, school records, and civil documents to support your case.

1. Book the interview well in advance
   • Expect fewer third-country options, longer local queues in high-demand places, and more careful screening.
2. Attend in person
   • Plan travel and lodging accordingly. Bring all documents, including evidence supporting the purpose of travel and ties to your home or residence country.
3. Budget for fees
   • Include regular application fees, potential courier charges for passport return, and the expected $250 visa integrity fee once implemented.

For official, up-to-date guidance on nonimmigrant visas, the U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs maintains current rules, post-specific instructions, and appointment systems. Applicants should regularly check https://travel.state.gov for changes that may affect scheduling or eligibility.

The policy removes a key relief valve for applicants who once relied on third-country posts to find faster dates. Plan early, keep documents organized, and follow post-specific guidance to maximize your chances of smooth processing.

Practical examples and operational ripple effects

• A software engineer on H-1B needing visa stamping during a short trip abroad will likely have to return to their home or residence country for the appointment, reshaping travel plans and project timelines.
• An F-1 student who previously used “Dropbox” to avoid missing classes must now build in time for an in-person appearance and possible delays.

Education and business groups are mapping ripple effects:

• Universities may advise new students to secure the earliest possible interview dates to protect arrival targets.
• Employers may adjust onboarding schedules, limit nonessential trips that risk visa delays, and advise staff to keep documents current.
• Travel agencies and relocation firms will focus on appointment forecasting in home countries, not third-country workarounds.

Final takeaways

• If you need a visa in September 2025 or later, plan to attend an in-person interview and book it in your nationality country or your legal residence.
• Bring proof if you are applying outside your nationality country.
• Assume fees are non-refundable if you schedule in the wrong place, and expect tighter scrutiny, even for renewals.
• Watch for operational updates: consulates may adjust appointment release patterns, add weekend drives for students in peak seasons, or tweak document checklists. But the core rules are clear: fewer waivers, fewer third-country options, more in-person vetting.

Applicants who plan early, keep documents organized, and follow post-specific guidance stand the best chance of smooth processing within the new framework.