US Ends Third-Country Visa Stamping in 2025

The United States has officially ended the practice of third-country visa stamping for non-immigrant visas, a move that will force applicants to appear for interviews only in their country of citizenship or legal residence. The new rule came into effect on September 6, 2025, according to the US State Department.

For years, many applicants—particularly from India—had chosen neighboring countries with shorter wait times to complete their visa stamping. Under the new system, such applications will no longer be accepted, and appointments booked outside the home country may be canceled without refunds.

Limited Exceptions

The restriction will not apply to nationals of countries without US embassies or consulates, such as Afghanistan, Iran, Venezuela, and Somalia. These applicants will be directed to designated consular posts, including Astana, Dubai, Bogota, and Nairobi. Special visa categories such as diplomatic, medical, and humanitarian cases may also receive exemptions.

Wider Visa Policy Changes

This reform is part of a broader tightening of US visa rules:

• In-person interviews have been made mandatory for nearly all non-immigrant visa applicants from September 2, 2025, ending most interview waivers and “drop-box” renewals.
• From August 1, 2025, third-party passport collection in India was discontinued, requiring applicants to collect passports themselves or opt for paid home/office delivery.

Impact on Indian Applicants

The change is expected to significantly impact Indian students, workers, and tourists, who previously relied on third-country processing to avoid long wait times at US consulates in India. With demand for US visas remaining high, experts warn of longer delays and increased planning challenges for travel, education, and work.