"the most logical conclusion to draw is that this is part of the administration's larger efforts to restrict the issuance of US visas by making the process more time-consuming and logistically difficult,"
"The shift is really about removing shortcuts, re-establishing face-to-face checkpoints, and restricting where applicants can apply for a US visa,"
"This, along with the rollback of most interview waivers just a few days earlier, signals a broader tightening of the process. During the pandemic, waivers and flexible interview rules kept the system moving. Now those shortcuts are gone, and nearly everyone must interview in person again."
The U.S. State Department requires non-immigrant visa applicants to complete mandatory interviews in their country of citizenship or legal residence, effective after September 6. The rule removes the prior option to book interviews in third countries to avoid local backlogs. Appointments in third countries that were scheduled before September 6 remain valid. Immigration lawyers describe the change as part of broader measures to tighten visa issuance, including a Visa Bond Pilot Program and enhanced vetting. The rollback of interview waivers and reinstatement of in-person interviews will increase processing time and logistical difficulty for many travelers, including tourists, students, and business travelers.
Read at Conde Nast Traveler
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