The Top 5 Things to Know about the New Policy Recommending Nonimmigrant Visa Stamp Processing in an Individual’s Country of Nationality or Residence

On Saturday, September 6, the Department of State announced that, effective immediately, individuals should plan to process nonimmigrant visa applications in their country of nationality or residence. Here are the Top Five Things to know about this new policy:

1. Individuals should apply in their country of nationality or residence. If an application is based on residency, individuals must be able to demonstrate residence in the country where they are applying.
2. Existing appointments in a location that is not an individual’s country of nationality or residence generally will not be cancelled. However, if an individual is unable to establish their ties to that country, they may not be able to process a visa there and the application fees paid will not be refunded or transferred.
3. There will likely be longer wait times for appointments at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy other than the individual’s country of nationality or residence.
4. For nationals of countries where the U.S. government is not conducting routine nonimmigrant visa operations, they must apply at a designated U.S. Embassy or Consulate or in their country of residence.
5. Overall, this policy will make visa stamping appointments more difficult to secure, especially in high demand countries like India and China. Visa applicants should consider this when booking travel and apply early to minimize visa processing delays.

Please reach out to your Quarles immigration attorney with questions, or:

• Libby Glass: 202-780-2664 / libby.glass@quarles.com
• Maria Kallmeyer: 312-715-5009 / maria.kallmeyer@quarles.com

Please visit our Federal Policy Watch: Monitoring White House Developments page for more insight about navigating changes at the federal level.