US visa policy country of residence
The United States government has announced a new visa policy that mandates applicants to attend interviews only in their country of residence. The directive ends the practice of visa seekers applying and attending interviews in third countries where appointments were more readily available.
According to US officials, the new policy aims to streamline processing, reduce fraud, and ensure better security checks. It is expected to affect students, tourists, business travelers, and immigrants who previously traveled across borders to schedule quicker interviews.
In Nigeria, the policy has raised concerns among applicants who often sought interview dates in neighboring countries such as Ghana or Benin Republic due to long waiting periods at the US embassy in Abuja and the consulate in Lagos.
Travel agents and immigration consultants say the change may cause longer delays for Nigerians and other applicants from high-demand countries. They advise early planning and timely application to avoid disruptions to travel, education, and business schedules.
The US government, however, maintains that the rule will enhance fairness and transparency by ensuring that applicants are processed within their own jurisdictions.
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