The United States Department of State has announced a major policy change that will directly affect millions of visa applicants around the world. Effective immediately, non-immigrant visa applicants can only schedule interviews in their home country or in the country where they legally reside. This means that the practice of applying in a third country to bypass long wait times has officially come to an end.

End of Third-Country Visa Applications

For years, Indian travellers applying for tourist, business, work, or student visas often booked appointments at consulates in countries like Thailand, Vietnam, or Germany to avoid long delays at Indian consulates. That option is no longer available. The new rule makes it mandatory to apply only in India or in the country where the applicant legally lives. This decision, aligned with the Trump-era tightening of visa policies, has reshaped the global visa process in an effort to create stricter uniformity.

Longer Wait Times for Indian Travellers

The change is expected to significantly increase wait times for applicants in India. Currently, US visa interview wait times in cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad often exceed three months. With all applicants now forced to apply locally, demand will rise sharply and appointment slots will become even more limited. This will affect not only tourists but also business travellers, international students, and professionals holding work visas like H1B and O1.

Impact on Travellers Already in the United States

It is important to note that this policy applies only to stamping at US consulates abroad. Those who are already in the United States on valid visas can continue to file for extensions or changes of status through the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. However, anyone leaving the country and needing a fresh visa stamp to return must now do so in their home or residence country. This could complicate travel plans for frequent flyers, digital nomads, and students.

Passport Collection Rules Have Changed

Alongside this policy update, the United States has also withdrawn the option of third-party passport collection in India. Applicants must now collect their passports in person after visa processing or choose home delivery for a fee of INR 1,200. The earlier system of authorising someone else to collect passports has been completely discontinued. Travellers are advised to plan accordingly, especially those living far from collection centres.

What Applicants Should Keep in Mind

This new policy is a reminder that applying for a US visa now requires even more preparation and planning. Here are key points for applicants to remember:

  • All interviews must take place in the country of nationality or legal residence

  • Proof of residence, such as bills or permits, will be required for those applying abroad

  • Fees paid in a third country will not be refunded if you are required to apply in India

  • Almost all applicants, including children under 14 and seniors over 79, must attend in-person interviews

  • Emergency and diplomatic cases may be considered for exceptions, but these will be rare

A Shift That Demands Careful Planning

For Indian travellers, the new visa rule is more than just a procedural update. It signals longer waits, stricter procedures, and fewer flexible options for international mobility. Whether for tourism, business, or study, applicants must now plan their US travel months in advance and monitor consulate schedules closely.

The tightening of US visa procedures is not new, but this move closes one of the last convenient routes for applicants. It highlights how international travel is becoming more complex and requires greater foresight.

 

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