Non – Immigrant Visa

• Applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence. 
• Applicants who schedule nonimmigrant interviews at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside of their country of nationality or residence might find that it will be more difficult to qualify for the visa.  Fees paid for such applications will not be refunded. 
• Nationals of countries where the U.S. government is not conducting routine nonimmigrant visa operations must apply at the designated embassy or consulate, unless their residence is elsewhere.  See the website for your country of nationality to determine the designated location for NIV applications.
• Wait times for nonimmigrant interview appointments vary by location.  Applicants applying outside their country of nationality or residence should expect to wait significantly longer for an appointment.

Immigrant Visa Overseas

• Beginning immediately, if an applicant would like to transfer her or his immigrant visa case to a new consular district after the National Visa Center has scheduled the appointment, the applicant must contact the National Visa Center to request a transfer to a new location, as opposed to contacting the consular section directly.  Applicants should use the National Visa Center’s Public Inquiry Form.
• Rare exceptions may be made, at the discretion of the consular section or at the direction of the Department, for humanitarian or medical emergencies or foreign policy reasons.
• For immigrant visa applicants from countries with suspended or reduced visa operations, applicants should interview in their country of residency, nationality, or the designated U.S. Embassy or Consulate, unless there is an extraordinary circumstance.   
• These changes will be applied to Diversity Visa applicants in the DV-2026 program year.