IMPORTANT NOTICES
Expanded Visa Categories for Online Presence Review Vetting
All individuals applying for an A-3, C-3 (if a domestic worker), G-5, H-1B, H-3, H-4 dependent of H-1B and H-3, F, M, J, K-1, K-2, K-3, Q, R-1, R-2, S, T, or U nonimmigrant visa are instructed to adjust the privacy setting on all social media accounts to “public” or “open” to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States under U.S. law.
More information is available at Announcement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for Visa Applicants .
Diversity Visa Issuance Pause
Effective immediately, the Department of State has paused all visa issuances to diversity immigrant visa applicants. For additional details, visit travel.state.gov here.
Presidential Proclamation 10998 on Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals
Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 10998 on Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States, which takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 1, 2026, the United States is suspending or limiting entry and visa issuance to nationals of 39 countries as well as individuals applying using travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority. Applicants who are subject to Presidential Proclamation 10998 may still submit visa applications and attend scheduled interviews, but they may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission to the United States. For additional details, visit travel.state.gov here.
Pause of Visa Issuances to Afghan Nationals
Effective November 27, 2025, all visa issuances to Afghan nationals applying with an Afghan passport are paused until further notice.
Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers
Presidential Proclamation Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers, issued on September 19, 2025, restricts the entry of aliens into the United States as H-1B nonimmigrants if they are seeking to perform services in a specialty occupation. This restriction only applies to H-1B petitions filed with USCIS after the Proclamation’s effective date of September 21, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). For additional details, visit Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers page.
Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants Applying in Their Country of Residence or Nationality
Applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their country of residence or nationality. Visa application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. For more information, go to Adjudicating Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV) Applicants page.
Adjudicating IV Applicants in Their Country of Residence
Immigrant visa applicants are now generally required to interview in the consular district designated for their place of residence, or in their country of nationality if requested, with limited exceptions. Beginning November 1, 2025, the National Visa Center will schedule applicants in their place of residence or alternatively, their country of nationality, if requested. If an applicant requests to interview in a location other than the applicant’s assigned consular district or country of nationality, the National Visa Center may request additional information to confirm that location is an applicant’s place of residence, or to confirm whether an exception may be appropriate. For more information, go to Travel.State.Gov – Adjudicating Applicants in Their Country of Residence .
Immediate Suspension of Interview Waiver for Certain Nationalities
Effective immediately, nationals and citizens of the following countries applying for nonimmigrant visas, including those who previously held visas and are renewing, will be required to attend an in-person interview with a consular officer: Afghanistan, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad, Cote D’Ivoire, Cuba, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Applicants for diplomatic and official visas from these countries should exercise use of the normal diplomatic channels for updated guidance on interview scheduling. If you are a citizen or a national of one of these countries, regardless of the place of your application, you should not submit your application for processing using Interview Waiver – you must make an appointment for an in-person visa interview.
New Requirement for Visa Interviews: All visa applicants must bring a DS-160 visa application form with a confirmation/barcode number (starting with AA) that matches the one used to make their appointment online. If you appear at your appointment and the DS-160 barcode does not match the one in your appointment profile, you will not be able to attend your interview.
Double-Check Your Information Immediately: Please double-check that the barcode number on your DS-160 form matches the one you used to schedule your appointment. For instructions on updating your DS-160 number, please see the instruction document.
Submit Your DS-160 Visa Application at Least Two Business Days Before Your Interview:
Please make sure to submit your DS-160 visa application form at least two business days before your visa interview if you have not already submitted it. This will help us process your application as quickly as possible on the day of your interview.
Contact Us for Help: If you have any questions or need help, please visit our website and choose the country you are applying from for Contact Center details.
