Effective September 6, 2025, the Department of State (DoS) announced that non-immigrant visa applicants should schedule visa interviews at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their country of nationality or residence. This restricts processing for “third country nationals” (TCNs), a practice that has become more common since the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing applicants to apply for visas outside their home country.

Effective December 15, 2025

The U.S. Department of State (DoS) announced new procedures for vetting the online presence of H-1B and H-4 visa applicants. This includes reviewing social media and professional network activities as part of the application process.