U.S. Department of State Ends Third-Country Stamping
Beginning November 1, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) ceased third-country stamping. This impacts international professionals, students, and U.S. employers managing global mobility. The new procedure requires all non-immigrant visa applicants to schedule interviews in their country of nationality or residence. This change shut down the practice of “third-country stamping,” where applicants booked visa appointments in a third country to bypass long wait times at home.
Understanding The Changes
Before the change, many applicants, especially in high-demand countries like India and China, could apply for U.S. visas in other countries that had shorter wait times. An example of this would be an Indian H-1B worker might fly to Germany or another country with a shorter wait time for a quicker visa stamp.
As of November 1, 2025, that is no longer an option and non-immigrant visa applicants are to interview in the consular district designated for their place of residence, or in their country of nationality.
Applicants should be aware of the following:
- Strict Residence Verification: According to a recent DOS update, applicants must now provide "clear and convincing evidence" of legal residence if they are not applying in their country of nationality. This includes long-term work permits or residency cards. A mere tourist visa in a third country will result in an immediate refusal and a non-refundable fee.
- The Non-Refundable Fee Warning: The DOS has clarified that visa application fees are non-transferable between consular posts. If you mistakenly book an appointment in a third country where you do not reside, the consulate will cancel the appointment, and your fee will be surrendered.
- Expansion of Designated Posts: For nationals of countries where the U.S. has no diplomatic presence (e.g., Afghanistan, Iran, or Cuba), the DOS has assigned specific Designated Processing Posts. These are the only authorized third-country exceptions.
- Exceptions: Rare exceptions may be made for certain emergencies or foreign policy reasons.
This policy has led to congestion at major consulates. Employers should anticipate that employees traveling for "quick stamps" may be stuck abroad for longer than expected.
The end of third country stamping marks a definitive shift toward localized vetting and domestic security. The current climate requires a more proactive approach to legal status, requiring professionals to prioritize appropriate filing ahead of their expiration. We will continue to monitor progress on this, and all matters related to immigration law. Should you need help with your specific immigration circumstance, we recommend contacting the immigration department at Pasricha & Patel, LLC to schedule a consultation.