The United States Department of State has announced changes to its immigrant visa interview process, set to take effect on November 1, 2025.
Under the new policy, applicants must attend interviews at the U.S. consular post responsible for their place of residence or—if requested—in their country of nationality.
This marks a departure from previous practice, where applicants could seek interviews in third countries for convenience or faster processing. The move is part of a broader effort to standardise procedures, reduce logistical ambiguity, and align interview locations with applicants’ legal and geographic ties.
Regional Impact: Nairobi’s Role Expands
For Kenyan nationals, interviews will continue at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi. However, the policy carries broader implications for neighbouring countries with limited or no U.S. consular operations.
- Somalia and South Sudan: Nairobi designated as the official interview centre
- Eritrea: Applicants may be routed to Nairobi or Addis Ababa
- Sudan: Interviews to be held in Cairo
- Syria: Amman or Beirut, depending on case specifics
These designations reflect the State Department’s intent to streamline access for applicants in regions with fragile infrastructure or diplomatic constraints.
Global Interview Hubs
Beyond East Africa, the department has outlined new interview locations for applicants from several countries:
| Country | New Interview Location(s) |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Islamabad |
| Belarus | Warsaw |
| Haiti | Nassau |
| Iran | Abu Dhabi, Ankara, or Yerevan |
| Venezuela | Bogotá |
| Yemen | Djibouti |
| Zimbabwe | Johannesburg |
These hubs were selected based on regional proximity, security, and operational capacity to reduce uncertainty for applicants from countries without routine consular services.
Exceptions and Emergencies
While the policy emphasises residency-based scheduling, exceptions will be considered for:
- Humanitarian or medical emergencies
- Foreign policy considerations
Applicants seeking exceptions must submit supporting documentation, and approval will be granted on a case-by-case basis.
What Happens to Existing Appointments?
The State Department confirmed that previously scheduled interviews will not be affected. Applicants are advised not to contact consular sections directly to request changes. Those wishing to transfer their case must use the Public Inquiry Form via the National Visa Centre (NVC).
DV Lottery Applicants Included
The new rules also apply to Diversity Visa (DV) lottery winners, starting with the DV-2026 program year. Interviews for green card lottery recipients will now be tied to their residence or nationality, reinforcing the Department’s push for procedural consistency.
Final Guidance
The Department urges all applicants to monitor embassy and consulate websites for updates on visa requirements, operating status, and available services. These changes supersede all previous guidance on immigrant visa interview arrangements.
