The U.S. Department of State has announced a major change that will immediately impact international professionals, students, and U.S. employers managing global mobility. Effective September 6, 2025, all nonimmigrant visa applicants must now schedule interviews in their country of nationality or residence.

This change effectively shuts the door on “third-country stamping,” the long-standing practice where applicants booked visa appointments in third countries to bypass long wait times at home, which was especially helpful for those who had travel plans already. 

What Changed for Nonimmigrant Visa Stamping?

Until now, many applicants — especially those in high-demand countries like India, China, Mexico, and Brazil — could apply for U.S. visas in other countries with shorter wait times. For example, an Indian H-1B worker might fly to Thailand or Germany for a quicker visa stamp.

As of September 6, 2025, that option is gone. The State Department now requires:

• Interviews must be held in your home country (where you are a citizen or have legal residence).
• Fees are non-transferable — if you mistakenly book in the wrong country, you lose your payment.
• Existing appointments generally won’t be canceled, but any new bookings must follow the rule.

Special Cases: Where to Apply If Your Country Has No Embassy Services

Some countries do not have routine U.S. visa services. For these nationals, the State Department has designated alternative consulates:

• Russia → Astana (Kazakhstan) or Warsaw (Poland)
• Iran → Dubai (UAE)
• Venezuela → Bogotá (Colombia)
• Cuba → Georgetown (Guyana)
• Ukraine → Krakow or Warsaw
• Somalia / South Sudan → Nairobi (Kenya)
• Yemen → Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)

Unless you fall into one of these categories, you must return to your home country for stamping or a country in which you reside.

 

Who Is Exempt?

The rule does not apply to:

• Diplomats or official visa categories (A, G, NATO)
• Travelers covered by the UN Headquarters Agreement
• Emergency medical, humanitarian, or urgent foreign policy cases

For nearly all employment-based and student visas (H-1B, L-1, O-1, F-1, J-1), this new rule applies.

Why This Matters for High-Skilled Workers

For high-skilled immigrants, this change means:

• Longer wait times at high-volume countries. U.S. visa demand is already backlogged — some consulates have appointment wait times over a year. Without third-country options, bottlenecks may worsen.
• Less flexibility for travel. Business travelers who once combined a trip abroad with a quick stamping elsewhere will now need to return home.
• More risk if plans change. Since fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, booking errors carry financial consequences.

Why This Matters for Employers & HR Professionals

For HR leaders managing global talent, this policy could:

• Delay onboarding — new hires outside the U.S. may face months-long waits before arriving.
• Disrupt travel for existing employees — those on H-1B or L-1 visas may not be able to re-enter the U.S. as quickly after international travel.
• Increase compliance risk — mistakes in scheduling interviews abroad can result in employees being stuck outside the U.S. longer than expected.

Action Items for High-Skilled Immigrants

1. Plan Early
   • Check visa appointment wait times in your home country. Book as soon as possible — even a year ahead if available.
2. Confirm Residency Proof
   • Make sure you have documentation (residency permit, utility bills, tax filings) if applying in your country of residence but not citizenship.
3. Avoid Booking Abroad
   • Don’t risk paying fees in a third country — you will likely lose them. Stick to home-country consulates.
4. Keep Emergency Documentation Handy
   • If you may need an expedited appointment (medical or urgent travel), gather supporting evidence in advance.

Action Items for HR Professionals

1. Audit Travel & Visa Needs Now
   • Review which employees will need stamping in the next 6–12 months. Adjust project timelines accordingly.
2. Set Employee Expectations
   • Communicate that travel flexibility is reduced. Workers may be stuck abroad longer due to home-country wait times.
3. Budget for Delays
   • Prepare for the financial impact of extended assignments abroad, delayed start dates, or emergency travel changes.
4. Monitor Consular Wait Times
   • Regularly check the State Department’s visa appointment wait time tool to forecast potential bottlenecks.

 

Bottom Line

The September 6, 2025 policy is a major shift in U.S. visa processing. By requiring applicants to interview in their home country, the State Department has eliminated workarounds that high-skilled workers and global companies have relied on for years.

For international employees, this means longer waits and less flexibility. For employers, it underscores the need to plan ahead, manage expectations, and build in extra time for U.S. visa travel.

Proactive steps today — booking early, tracking wait times, and aligning HR policies — will help reduce the disruption caused by this sudden change.

At Reddy Neumann Brown PC, we are tracking these sudden visa policy shifts and helping both employers and international professionals navigate the new requirements. If you are facing extended visa wait times, unexpected travel delays, or urgent stamping needs, contact our office immediately to discuss strategies for keeping your employment and immigration plans on track.

By : Steven Brown

Steven A. Brown is a Partner at Reddy Neumann Brown PC, where he leads the firm’s Litigation Team, addressing delays and denials of immigration benefits, FOIA requests, and policy and regulatory challenges. Steven is dedicated to delivering practical and effective solutions for clients facing unreasonably delayed or unlawfully withheld immigration benefits, including Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), advance parole, green cards, 221(g) decisions, EB-5 delays, and other immigration-related matters. His litigation efforts were instrumental in Shergill, et al. v. Mayorkas, a landmark case that led to the U.S. government recognizing that under the INA, L-2 and E visa spouses are authorized to work incident to their status, eliminating the need for separate EAD applications. This case has transformed work authorization for thousands of families across the United States.

About Reddy Neumann Brown PC: Reddy Neumann Brown PC is a leading immigration law firm based in Houston, Texas, specializing in business and family immigration matters. Founded in 1997, the firm has decades of experience helping businesses secure work visas and permanent residency for their employees, as well as assisting individuals with all facets of U.S. immigration. Our attorneys combine deep legal knowledge with a client-focused approach, providing reliable solutions and up-to-date guidance in a complex and ever-changing immigration landscape.