US Tightens Visa Rules: Indians Must Face Interviews Only at Home
US ends third-country visa interviews for Indians; rule impacts B1/B2, H1B, student visas. Applicants told to apply only at embassies in India.
image for illustrative purpose
The US Department of State has announced new rules requiring all nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applicants to schedule interviews only in their country of citizenship or legal residence. The change, effective immediately, eliminates the option for Indian applicants to bypass long waiting periods by booking appointments in third countries.
According to a notification posted on the State Department website on September 6, applicants must book interview slots at the embassy or consulate of their home country or residence. Those from countries without routine visa services may apply in another designated location.
The directive ends a practice widely used during the Covid-19 backlog, when Indian travelers sought quicker B1/B2 (business/tourist) visa appointments in countries such as Thailand, Singapore, or the UAE. Wait times in India had then stretched up to three years. From September 2025, Indian nationals will be required to undergo interviews within India itself.
In a parallel move, the State Department has narrowed eligibility for interview waivers. Starting September 2, the waiver programme now excludes most nonimmigrant categories. Consular interviews will be mandatory for a larger group of applicants, including B1/B2 tourists and business travelers, students under F and M visas, H-1B professionals, and J-category exchange visitors.
Children under 14 and adults over 79 remain exempt, but other categories—including A and G diplomatic visas, NATO, TECRO E-1, and certain official travel cases—continue to qualify for waivers.
Separately, the United States earlier introduced a $250 “Visa Integrity Fee,” scheduled to begin in 2026. The amount, pegged to inflation, will serve as a compliance-linked deposit and may be refunded if conditions are met.
Applicants in India have been advised to follow updates published by the US Embassy and Consulates in India for specific instructions on interview requirements, operating schedules, and application procedures.
