Immigration experts warn the State Department’s abrupt restrictions on third-country processing add costs, delays, and emotional stress without clear economic or security benefits.
While fall may bring free migration for birds and butterflies, for humans applying for U.S. visas the path is narrowing, as new rules now tie applicants more closely to their home countries.
In a major policy update, the U.S. Department of State announced over the weekend that all nonimmigrant visa applicants must now schedule their interviews at the U.S. embassy or consulate in the country where they live. The rule, which takes effect immediately, represents a significant shift from previous practice, which allowed applicants to apply outside their home countries.
Starting this fall, both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants will be required to schedule interviews in their country of residence or nationality, effectively ending the long-standing option for Third Country National (TCN) applications.
The policy shift is expected to hit hardest in high-demand countries such as India, particularly for B1/B2 visitors and F-1 student visa holders. It also represents a major change for U.S.-based Indians, who previously relied on nearby consulates in Canada or Mexico to renew or apply for visas.
READ: U.S. visa applicants must now apply in their home country: State Department (September 7, 2025)
One key question is whether there will be exceptions or emergency protocols under the new rules. Immigration attorney and founder of The Visa Code, Gnanamookan Senthurjothi, explained:
“TCN processing is nearly eliminated. When a specific consular post does choose to accept TCN applications, it is generally for rare humanitarian, medical, or foreign policy exceptions. As a result, applicants pursuing TCN interviews can expect significantly longer wait times. Given that the DOS is aware applicants often travel to different countries to secure earlier visa interview appointments, it appears unlikely that the policy will simply maintain TCN processing at pre-COVID-19 levels.”
It is worth noting that before COVID-19, some consular posts permitted TCN applications, but after the pandemic, the State Department allowed almost all applicants to apply from any country—provided the local consular post was willing to accommodate them.
Beyond paperwork: Missed moments and lost goodbyes
What often gets overlooked in policy discussions is the human toll of such rapid changes. For many, it means not just more complicated paperwork but the real possibility of serious life disruptions. Immigration consultant Netra Chavan, who is registered in California, says: “The changes have left many visa holders facing difficult and heartbreaking choices. By eliminating third-country stamping, reducing interview waivers, and creating long delays, the policies make it nearly impossible for visa holders to travel home for urgent family matters, such as a parent’s funeral, a sibling’s wedding, or important religious ceremonies. This creates constant fear and anxiety over visa delays or denials, while causing emotional distress from missing once-in-a-lifetime family and cultural moments.”
Visa rules as a game of ping pong
One of the biggest challenges, according to both immigration experts and those seeking visa renewals, has been the immediacy of the policy’s implementation. An H-1B visa holder who requires stamping soon explained: “The policy dropped on a weekend, giving no one any time to plan their move. We were hoping we could go to Mexico and get our stamping done but that option is gone now – we are weighing on both factors now – the additional cost involved to travel all the way to South Asia – our home country as well as the lack of clarity on the time it would take us to get a renewal.”
Chavan says she understands the struggle many in this position are now facing. She explained: “By eliminating third-country stamping and ending programs like the domestic H-1B renewal pilot, the issuance of visas now feels like a game of ping pong. Applicants face long delays, limited appointment availability, and strict requirements, forcing them to constantly navigate uncertainty. This back-and-forth process amplifies fear, stress, and emotional hardship for those who are legally entitled to be in the country.”
Paid, but no appointment, means no refund?
The new update means, says Senthurjothi, “Applicants residing in the U.S., which include those on work visas as well as the students who routinely visit Mexico, Canada, or other countries for visa renewals or new visa issuances will likely need to reconsider their travel and application strategies in light of these changes.”
But what happens to those who already have scheduled appointments? A work visa holder shared: “I recently booked my H-1B visa slot in Canada. But now with this change, that makes it imperative for visa holders to schedule interviews only in their home country or country of legal residence what happens to my interview which is scheduled later this week? Does it stand cancelled?”
Addressing such concerns, Senthurjothi explained: “The applicants who paid the visa fees but have not scheduled the visa interview will lose their money. Ones who have scheduled an interview can proceed for the interview.” Since the rule has created panic and confusion, Senthurjothi emphasized: “Existing visa interviews are not cancelled.”
Visa changes questioned for their value to American economics
Every time there is a policy change, it inevitably unsettles visa holders in the U.S., who are often left seeking counsel on how it may affect their status or turning to expat and immigration groups for answers. Social media communities for immigrants frequently light up with people looking for solidarity from others navigating the same struggles.
Counselors have previously noted the toll these constant shifts take on the productivity of workers, while experts argue that many of the changes bring little or no benefit to the U.S. Instead, they often create an arduous and unnecessary process. Immigration consultant Netra Chavan explains: “These changes highlight a growing disconnect between policy and the people it affects. While the government is meant to serve its citizens and lawful residents, the rules place significant burdens on visa holders without clear benefits to the U.S. economy or national security. Forcing individuals to choose between work and family obligations risks disrupting businesses, education, and skilled workforce retention, raising serious questions about how these measures benefit the U.S. economy or national interests.”