The United States Department of State has unveiled new rules on where immigrant visa interviews will be conducted, with the changes taking effect on November 1, 2025.
Under the revised policy, applicants must attend their interviews at the consular post covering their country of residence or, if they request, in their country of nationality. This marks a departure from past practice, where some applicants could schedule interviews in third countries for convenience.
The National Visa Center (NVC) will begin scheduling interviews under the new rules immediately, aligning appointments strictly with the applicant’s residency or nationality.
Nairobi takes on regional cases
For Kenyans, the process remains unchanged, with immigrant visa interviews continuing at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi. However, the changes carry major implications for neighbouring countries without fully operational U.S. consular services.
Nairobi has been designated as the official processing centre for Somalia and South Sudan, while Eritrean applicants may be directed either to Nairobi or Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Sudanese applicants will attend interviews in Cairo, and Syrians will be processed in Amman or, in certain circumstances, Beirut.
Globally, other designations include Islamabad for Afghans, Warsaw for Belarusians, Nassau for Haitians, Abu Dhabi, Ankara, or Yerevan for Iranians, Bogotá for Venezuelans, Djibouti for Yemenis, and Johannesburg for Zimbabweans.
The State Department said these assignments are meant to standardise the process and provide clarity for applicants in countries without routine consular operations.
Exceptions and humanitarian cases
While the new rules tie interviews more tightly to residence or nationality, the Department noted that exceptions will be considered in humanitarian and medical emergencies or under foreign policy considerations. In such cases, applicants must submit supporting documentation.
Importantly, appointments already scheduled will remain valid. The Department urged applicants not to contact consular offices for changes, but to use the Public Inquiry Form via the NVC if they wish to transfer a case after scheduling.
DV Lottery applicants affected
The updated requirements will also apply to Diversity Visa (DV) lottery winners, beginning with the DV-2026 program year.
This means future green card lottery applicants will attend interviews in line with their place of residence or nationality, closing a loophole that previously allowed them to choose third-country locations.
The State Department urged applicants to closely follow embassy and consulate websites for updates on visa requirements, operating status, and available services, stressing that the new rules supersede all previous guidance on immigrant visa interviews.
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