The United States has instructed all non-immigrant visa applicants to book their interview appointments only at embassies or consulates located in their country of nationality or residence.
In a policy update issued on September 6, the US Department of State cautioned that applicants seeking interviews outside their country of residence could face much longer wait times and risk forfeiting their application fees, which are non-refundable and non-transferable if denied.
“Effective immediately, the Department of State has updated its instructions for all nonimmigrant visa applicants scheduling visa interview appointments,” the directive reads.
“Applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas (NIV) should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence.
“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 list below to determine the designated location for NIV applications.”
The State Department added that if applicants choose to apply outside their country of nationality, they must show proof of residence in the country where the application is filed.
“Applicants who schedule non-immigrant 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 and cannot be transferred,” the policy reads.
“Wait times for non-immigrant interview appointments vary by location. Applicants applying outside their country of nationality or residence should expect to wait significantly longer for an appointment.
“Existing non-immigrant visa appointments will generally not be cancelled.
“This guidance does not apply to applicants for A, G, C-2, C-3, NATO visas, applicants for diplomatic-type or official-type visas (regardless of classification), or applicants for any visa for travel covered by the UN Headquarters Agreement. Rare exceptions may also be made for humanitarian or medical emergencies or foreign policy reasons.”
The policy means Nigerian travellers applying for US visas must now schedule appointments strictly at the embassy in Abuja or the consulate in Lagos, unless rare exceptions apply. In the past, many Nigerians opted for interviews in other countries to avoid long appointment delays in Nigeria.
This move is the latest in a series of stricter visa measures, a trend that started under Donald Trump’s administration.