Third Country National (TCN) Visa Processing
The State Department announced it would make it more difficult for nonimmigrant visa applicants to obtain a visa from a consular post outside their country of residence or citizenship. Some U.S. embassies and consulates may limit or deny TCN visa applications based on local capacity and policy.
Individuals applying for a visa as a TCN may wait “substantially longer” for a visa appointment and “may find that it will be more difficult to qualify for the visa.” Because TCN appointments are already accepted at the discretion of the specific post, the announcement could mean that individual posts may further limit or prohibit them.
Interview Waiver Policy
Effective September 2, 2025, all nonimmigrant visa applicants, will require an in-person interview with a consular officer, with some limited exceptions.
The State Department posted the new criteria for visa applicants that may be eligible for a waiver of the nonimmigrant visa interview, which includes applicants renewing a full validity B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visitor visa, or a Border Crossing Card/Foil (for Mexican nationals) within 12 months of the prior visa’s expiration, and who were at least 18 years old at the time of the prior visa’s issuance.
Additionally, these applicants must:
- apply in their country of nationality or residence;
- have never been refused a visa (unless such refusal was overcome or waived); and
- have no apparent or potential ineligibility.
This alert, for informational purposes only, was prepared by Fragomen and originally published here and here. If you have any questions, please contact us.