US consulates push visitor visa applicants to apply in their country of residence
Booking an interview in a third country to beat waiting times is now much harder, and non-resident applicants face lower priority.
- In effect from
- 5 Aug 2026
- Published
- 1 Sept 2026
- Source
- U.S. Department of State
Applicants are expected to interview at the post covering their place of residence. Third-country applications are accepted only where the post has capacity.
Waiting times have shortened in several regions, so checking your home post first is usually faster than searching abroad.
Interview waiver eligibility continues for many renewals within a fixed period after expiry, which avoids the appointment queue entirely.
Countries affected
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