US Mandates Home-Country Interviews for Immigrant Visas from Nov 2025

US Imposes Stricter Immigrant Visa Rules, Makes Home-Country Interviews Mandatory

The United States has announced tougher immigration visa rules, requiring all applicants to undergo interviews strictly in their home countries or countries of residence.

This new policy, set to take effect in November 2025, ends the option of applying through third-country embassies, a practice often used to avoid long backlogs. Authorities say the move is aimed at tightening security, ensuring better oversight, and standardizing the visa process.

While existing appointments will remain valid, new applicants may face longer wait times and stricter checks. Exceptions will only be granted in rare emergency or humanitarian cases.

The development comes as part of a broader set of changes in U.S. visa regulations, signaling a more controlled and restrictive approach to immigration.