New Rules for US Visa Appointments – September 2025 Table of Contents On September 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced new guidelines for nonimmigrant visa applicants. Under the updated instructions, applicants must now schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence. This policy takes effect immediately and replaces all previous guidance. Key Changes Where to Apply Applicants must schedule their US visa appointment in the country of their nationality or legal residence. For nationals of countries where the U.S. does not conduct routine visa services, designated embassies or consulates have been assigned. What This Means for Iranians Iranian nationals can only schedule their US visa interview in Dubai (UAE). Applicants who legally reside in another country may apply there, but must provide valid proof of residency. Fees and Chances of Approval Applicants who apply outside their country of residence or nationality may face a higher chance of refusal. Visa fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Appointment Wait Times Wait times vary depending on location. Applicants who apply outside their residence or nationality country should expect significantly longer waits. Exceptions The new rule does not apply to diplomatic or official visa categories (A, G, C-2, C-3, NATO), UN-related travel, or emergency cases (humanitarian, medical, or foreign policy reasons). Designated Locations for Specific Nationalities Nationality Designated US Embassy/Consulate Afghanistan Islamabad Iran Dubai Russia Astana, Warsaw Syria Amman Ukraine Krakow, Warsaw Venezuela Bogota Yemen Riyadh Libya Tunis Cuba Georgetown Belarus Vilnius, Warsaw Sudan Cairo Somalia Nairobi South Sudan Nairobi Zimbabwe Johannesburg Haiti Nassau Chad Yaoundé Niger Ouagadougou (This is a partial list of countries with designated processing locations.) Conclusion These updates show that the U.S. government is aiming to streamline and control nonimmigrant visa processing more strictly. For Iranians, the only official option for scheduling a US visa appointment is now the U.S. Consulate in Dubai. If you are planning to apply for a US tourist visa, student visa, or any other non-immigrant visa, make sure to follow this updated rule when booking your visa interview.
