The U.S. Department of State has announced new guidelines for nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applicants, set to take effect on November 1, 2025. Under the updated rules, individuals seeking nonimmigrant visas must apply from either their country of citizenship or a country where they have legal residency.
According to the State Department, applicants from countries where routine visa services are unavailable must submit their applications at a designated U.S. embassy or consulate. Those applying from a country other than their home nation must provide documentation proving legal residence there.
Designated Visa Processing Locations
Specific countries have been assigned to designated embassies or consulates for processing NIV applications:
Afghanistan: Islamabad
Belarus: Vilnius or Warsaw
Chad: Yaoundé
Cuba: Georgetown
Haiti: Nassau
Iran: Dubai
Libya: Tunis
Niger: Ouagadougou
Russia: Astana or Warsaw
Somalia & South Sudan: Nairobi
Sudan: Cairo
Syria: Amman
Ukraine: Krakow or Warsaw
Venezuela: Bogota
Yemen: Riyadh
Zimbabwe: Johannesburg
Officials caution that applying outside one’s country of citizenship or legal residence may involve additional challenges, including limited appointment availability, longer wait times, and non-refundable visa fees that cannot be transferred if an application is denied. Applicants with existing appointments booked under the current system are generally not expected to be affected.
Exemptions and Humanitarian Considerations
The new rules do not apply to diplomatic and official visa categories (A, G, C-2, C-3, NATO) or cases involving the United Nations Headquarters Agreement. Exceptional humanitarian or urgent medical cases may be reviewed for special approval.
Authorities reiterated that nonimmigrant visas are intended for temporary stays in the United States — including tourism, education, business, and short-term employment — and emphasized that applicants must be prepared to return to their home country upon visa expiration.
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