From September 6, the US State Department mandates that non-immigrant visa (NIV) applicants schedule their interview appointments in their country of citizenship or legal residence. Exceptions exist only for countries where routine visa services are unavailable.
Applicants from countries without regular US non-immigrant visa services must apply at a designated embassy or consulate, unless they live elsewhere. This applies to nationals or residents of Afghanistan, Cuba, Chad, Russia, Iran, and several other countries.
Effective September 2, the US Department of State strengthened security in its non-immigrant visa interview waiver programme. This applies to B1/B2 tourist and business visas, F and M student visas, H1B work visas, J exchange visas, and A/G diplomatic visas.
Starting September 2025, most B1/B2 non-immigrant visa applicants in India will need to attend in-person interviews. The new rules apply to all applicants, including those under 14 and over 79, who must also undergo compulsory consular interviews.
Certain visas are exempt from the new in-person interview rules, including diplomatic and official visas (A-1, A-2), select travel and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) categories, Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) E-1, and G-1 to G-4 visas. Holders of these visas can continue with streamlined procedures.
Industry experts say the new rule may add to India’s growing visa backlog. Earlier this year, wait times ranged from 3.5 months in Hyderabad and Mumbai to 5 months in Kolkata, and up to 9 months in Chennai.
Previously, tourists often scheduled visa interviews in other countries to avoid long delays at home. During the COVID-19 pandemic, backlogs in India caused wait times of up to three years.
Meanwhile, the United States will introduce a $250 Visa Integrity Fee in 2026. The fee, adjusted for inflation, serves as a security deposit and can be refunded if applicants adhere to visa regulations. It applies to all non-immigrant visa categories, promoting greater accountability in the application process.
