DOS Policy Limits Third-Country National Visa Processing

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has issued new instructions, effective 06.Sep.2025, that may sharply curtail the practice of third-country national (TCN) visa processing. The new guidance signals that most nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applicants will be expected to apply from within their country of nationality or residence, a shift that could have major implications for visa appointment scheduling worldwide.

“Should” vs. “Must”: Understanding the New Guidance

The official notice makes an important distinction in its language. The policy states that most NIV applicants “should” schedule their visa interviews at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their respective country of nationality or residence. The guidance further notes that those who apply at consular posts outside of their countries of nationality or residence “…might find that it will be more difficult to qualify for the visa,” and “…should expect to wait significantly longer for an appointment.”

For nationals of countries where the U.S. does not have consular operations, the language is stricter. These applicants “must” apply at specific posts designated by the DOS (e.g., applicants from Haiti must apply in Nassau).

Limited Exceptions Remain

The guidance provides for very few exceptions. The new rule does not apply to certain visa categories, including diplomats and employees of international organizations (A, G, C-2, C-3, and NATO visas). Exceptions also may be made for urgent humanitarian or medical emergencies, though the standard for approval typically is very high. Moreover, existing visa appointments generally will not be canceled.

Conclusion

The new DOS policy discourages TCN processing for most applicants, warning of both longer waits and a higher bar for visa qualification. The era of using third-country posts to find faster appointments may be over. How this rule will be interpreted and implemented by the consular posts, however, remains to be seen.

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