US Suspends Third-Country Visa Applications: Indian Students, Tourists to Face Longer Wait Times

In a significant policy update, the United States has ended the practice of third-country visa processing for non-immigrant visa applicants, directly impacting Indian students and travelers who sought quicker appointments abroad.

As per a directive issued by the US Department of State (DoS) on September 6, non-immigrant visa applicants — including those applying for student (F1), visitor (B1/B2), and work visas (H-1B, O-1) — must now schedule their interviews only at the US Embassy or Consulates located in their country of residence or nationality.

The new rule restricts Indians from applying for US visas in countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Germany, or other third nations where wait times were previously shorter. Applicants must now apply from India unless they can prove long-term residency in another country.

The DoS also warned that those who still attempt to apply outside their home country could face significantly longer wait times.

This move is likely to add pressure to already stretched US consular services in India, where appointment backlogs for visa interviews have been a longstanding concern.