Department of State Changes Policy on Third Country National NIV Processing

On September 6, 2025, the Department of States issued a new policy regarding the practice of “Third Country National NIV Processing”. This policy refers to a foreign national going to a country OTHER THAN their country of citizenship or residence to get a U.S. nonimmigrant visa issued. Traditionally, based on appointment availability, consulates around the world commonly allowed third country national NIV processing. This new directive basically reverses this practice that was very convenient for many foreign nationals (particularly for foreign nationals from counties quite far from the U.S.), and directs them to always travel home or to their country of residence when they need a U.S. visa. I break this new policy down in my video below.