Breaking News: U.S. Ends “Third Country Stamping” — Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants Must Interview in Home Country
The U.S. Department of State has announced a major change that will immediately impact international professionals, students, and U.S. employers managing global mobility. Effective September 6, 2025, all nonimmigrant visa applicants must now schedule interviews in their country of nationality or residence. This change effectively shuts the door on “third-country stamping,” the long-standing practice where applicants booked visa appointments in third countries to bypass long wait times at home, which was especially helpful for those who had travel plans already. What Changed for Nonimmigrant Visa Stamping? Until now, many applicants — especially those in high-demand countries like India, China, Mexico,











