{"id":15094,"date":"2025-09-11T13:48:13","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T23:48:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/issmanoa\/?page_id=15094"},"modified":"2025-09-18T16:24:06","modified_gmt":"2025-09-19T02:24:06","slug":"visa-interview-locations","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/issmanoa\/?page_id=15094","title":{"rendered":"Visa Interview Locations"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-15094\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-15094-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-15094-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-15094-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><h2 class=\"widget-title\">New U.S. Visa Interview Location Policy: Apply in Your Home Country (Effective Sept 6, 2025)<\/h2>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p><em>Page updated: 10:30am - September 12, 2025<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Effective September 6, 2025, the Department of State (DOS) has implemented a new policy requiring nonimmigrant visa applicants, including F-1 and J-1 students, to schedule their visa interviews in their country of citizenship or legal residence. This change impacts most nonimmigrant visa categories and effectively ends the practice of \"third-country stamping.\" Previously, applicants could seek visa appointments in countries other than their home nation to bypass long wait times.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Key Aspects of the New Policy<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Mandatory Interview Location:<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> All new visa interview appointments must be scheduled and conducted at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate within your country of citizenship or legal permanent residence.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Non-Transferable Fees:<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Visa application fees (MRV fees) are non-transferable. If you book an appointment in a country where you are no longer eligible to apply under this new rule, your payment will be forfeited.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Existing Appointments:<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If you scheduled a visa appointment in a third country <\/span><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">before<\/span><\/em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> September 3rd, your appointment is generally expected to be valid under the previous policy. However, you are strongly advised to verify the current policy directly with the specific U.S. Embassy or Consulate where your appointment is scheduled. All new bookings must comply with this updated regulation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Exemptions: <\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The policy does <\/span><strong>NOT<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> apply to:<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diplomats or official visa categories (A, G, NATO)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Travelers covered by the UN Headquarters Agreement<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Emergency medical, humanitarian, or urgent foreign policy cases (these are rare and determined by the DOS)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Special Cases: Applying When Your Country Lacks Embassy Services<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For nationals of countries where routine U.S. visa services are not available, the U.S. DOS has designated specific alternative consulates. If you are from one of these countries, you will be directed to apply at a specific location:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Afghanistan:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Islamabad<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Belarus:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Vilnius, Warsaw<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Chad:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Yaound\u00e9<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cuba:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Georgetown<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Haiti:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Nassau<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Iran:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Dubai<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Libya:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Tunis<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Niger:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Ouagadougou<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Russia:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Astana, Warsaw<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Somalia:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Nairobi<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>South Sudan:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Nairobi<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Sudan:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Cairo<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Syria:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Amman<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Ukraine:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Krakow, Warsaw<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Venezuela:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Bogota<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Yemen:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Riyadh<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Zimbabwe:<\/b><span> Johannesburg<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unless you fall into one of these specific categories, you must return to your country of citizenship or legal residence for visa stamping.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the most current information, including any policy changes or specific procedural details, students should always refer to the official U.S. Department of State website: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/travel.state.gov\/\"><b>travel.state.gov<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Navigate to \"U.S. Visas\" for relevant information).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Furthermore, it is <\/span><b>imperative to check the website of the specific U.S. Embassy or Consulate<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> where you plan to apply, as local procedures and appointment availability can vary.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Recommendations from ISS<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Plan Travel Carefully:<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Do <\/span><strong>NOT<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> make any non-refundable travel arrangements (flights, hotels, etc.) until you have successfully secured and confirmed a visa interview appointment in your eligible home country and, ideally, have received your visa.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Check Wait Times:<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Review the current visa wait times for interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country well in advance of any potential travel. These wait times can be extensive.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Individualized Advising:<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If you have questions about your specific situation and how this new policy impacts your F-1 or J-1 status, please schedule an appointment with an ISS Advisor. Depending on the complexity of your case, we may recommend that you also consult with an experienced immigration attorney for legal advice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Stay Informed:<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Immigration policies can change. ISS will continue to monitor developments and update this page as new information or clarifications become available from the Department of State.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Resources:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>U.S. DOS News Posting<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/travel.state.gov\/content\/travel\/en\/News\/visas-news\/adjudicating-nonimmigrant-visa-applicants-in-their-country-of-residence-sep-6-2025.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adjudicating Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants in Their Country of Residence - September 6, 2025<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visa regulations and requirements can change. For the most current and accurate information, always check the official website of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs at <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/travel.state.gov\"><strong>travel.state.gov<\/strong><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (navigate to \"U.S. Visas\"). Additionally, it is crucial to check the website of the specific U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will be applying, as local procedures and requirements can sometimes differ.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>NAFSA: Association of International Educators:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nafsa.org\/regulatory-information\/dos-announces-nonimmigrant-visa-applicants-should-schedule-visa-interview\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.nafsa.org\/regulatory-information\/dos-announces-nonimmigrant-visa-applicants-should-schedule-visa-interview<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The information in this article is provided for general guidance and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be, nor should it be considered, legal advice. Immigration laws and policies are subject to change. For legal advice on your specific situation, please consult with an experienced immigration attorney.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Page updated: 10:30am &#8211; September 12, 2025 Effective September 6, 2025, the Department of State (DOS) has implemented a new [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"parent":15141,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[79],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15094","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-visa-pages","post"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Visa Interview Locations - International Student Services<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/issmanoa\/?page_id=15094\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Visa Interview Locations - 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