September 2026 | Immigration Update
Immigrant visa applicants should be prepared for potential changes and disruptions in visa processing at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad. Changes affecting where applicants may complete their immigrant visa interviews can create additional challenges for families already navigating a lengthy consular process.
For applicants waiting for an interview or preparing for consular processing, understanding where your case will be handled—and monitoring communications from the National Visa Center (NVC) and the appropriate U.S. embassy or consulate—is increasingly important.
Changes to Immigrant Visa Interview Locations
The U.S. Department of State has updated guidance regarding where immigrant visa applicants should complete their interviews.
Under the updated approach, immigrant visa applicants are generally expected to interview in the consular district associated with their place of residence or, if requested, in their country of nationality, subject to limited exceptions.
This can be particularly important for applicants who live outside their country of citizenship or who previously expected to process their case at a different U.S. embassy or consulate.
Why Could This Cause Disruptions?
Changes in interview location can affect applicants in several ways. Depending on the individual case, an applicant could face a different appointment timeline, additional travel requirements, difficulty transferring a case, or other logistical complications.
Processing times and appointment availability can also vary significantly between U.S. embassies and consulates.
Applicants should not assume that their case can simply be transferred to another post because another location appears to have shorter wait times.
What About Existing Appointments?
If you already have an immigrant visa interview scheduled, carefully review any notices or instructions you receive from the National Visa Center or the U.S. embassy or consulate handling your case.
Do not cancel an existing appointment or make significant travel arrangements based only on general information online. The appropriate steps can depend on where you live, your nationality, the location currently assigned to your case, and whether an exception applies.
What Should Immigrant Visa Applicants Do Now?
Applicants going through consular processing should:
- Monitor emails and notices from the National Visa Center and Department of State.
- Confirm which U.S. embassy or consulate is responsible for the case.
- Keep contact and address information current.
- Review post-specific instructions before traveling for an interview.
- Seek legal guidance before requesting a case transfer or making a major change to consular processing plans.
Planning Ahead Is Important
Consular processing can already involve months—or sometimes longer—of preparation and waiting. A change involving the location or scheduling of an immigrant visa interview can add another layer of uncertainty.
If you have a pending immigrant visa case, are waiting for an interview, or are concerned about where your interview will take place, Powers Law Group can help you understand how current Department of State policies may affect your case and your next steps.
