What’s Changing
Starting November 1, 2025, the U.S. Department of State will require all immigrant visa interviews to be held in the applicant’s country of legal residence or, in some cases, their country of nationality. This ends the previous flexibility where many applicants could choose a different U.S. consulate with shorter wait times or easier access.
This update affects a wide range of applicants including those pursuing a green card through marriage or applying for a K-1 visa (fiancé visa).
How This Affects Marriage Green Card Applicants
If you are applying for a marriage green card, your interview must now take place in your home country or the country where you currently live legally.
Previously, couples sometimes scheduled interviews in neighboring countries if their home country’s U.S. consulate had long delays or limited capacity. That option will no longer be widely available. This may:
- Increase wait times at busy consulates.
- Require additional travel if your home country has limited diplomatic access.
- Make scheduling flexibility much harder for couples eager to reunite in the U.S.
What This Means for K-1 Visa Applicants
Applicants for the K-1 visa (fiancé visa) are also impacted. If you are planning to marry a U.S. citizen and immigrate to the U.S., your interview must now happen at the consulate in your country of residence or nationality.
This could make the process more challenging for engaged couples who had hoped to speed up their timelines by choosing a consulate in a different country.
Why This Matters
- Less Flexibility: The new rule takes away the option to choose a faster or more convenient consulate.
- Possible Delays: Backlogs at certain consulates could slow down the marriage green card or K-1 visa process.
- Exceptions Are Rare: Humanitarian or medical emergencies may qualify for exceptions, but these are very limited.
What You Can Do Now
- Check your case status: If you already have an interview scheduled, it should still be valid. But confirm your assigned location through the National Visa Center (NVC).
- Plan ahead: If you are applying for a marriage green card or K-1 visa, be aware of consulate timelines in your country and start preparing documents early.
- Request changes the right way: If you truly need a different interview location, you must go through the NVC and not the consulates directly.
Moving Forward With Confidence
Immigration policies can change quickly, and small shifts can create big obstacles for families. If you’re applying for a marriage green card or a K-1 visa, understanding these new rules is critical to avoid delays and keep your case on track.
At ILOLA, we’re here to guide you through every step from preparing your application to supporting you at the interview stage. Contact us today to see if we can handle your case at (213) 375-4084.
