United States | State Department guidance on immigrant visa applicant interviews

The State Department announced that starting Nov. 1, 2025, the National Visa Center (NVC) will schedule immigrant visa applicants in their country of residence or, if requested, country of nationality.

Key Points:

• In an Aug. 28 update, the State Department said it “is now requiring” immigrant visa applicants (including Diversity Visa applicants in the DV-2026 program year) to interview in the consular district designated for their place of residence, or in their country of nationality if requested, with limited exceptions.
• Rare exceptions may be made for humanitarian, medical emergencies or foreign policy reasons.
• The NVC will schedule immigrant visa applicants accordingly starting Nov. 1, 2025.
• Effective immediately, applicants who would like to transfer their immigrant visa case to a new consular district after the NVC has scheduled the appointment should contact the NVC directly and not the consular section. Applicants should use the NVC’s Public Inquiry Form to request transfers.
• Residents of countries where routine visa operations are suspended or paused should apply at their designated immigrant visa processing post, unless the applicant is a national of another country with ongoing operations. A list of immigrant visa designated processing posts by country can be referenced here.
• Generally, existing immigrant visa appointments will not be rescheduled or canceled.
• This update supersedes previous guidance on visa application requirements, including designated visa processing posts.

Additional Information: Applicants should check embassy and consulate websites for more detailed information about visa application requirements and procedures, and to learn more about the embassy or consulate’s operating status and services.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.

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