The U.S. Department of State has issued a new policy which will require nonimmigrant visa applicants to schedule visa interview appointments at U.S. embassies or consulates in their country of nationality or residence. This policy is likely to have a dramatic impact on foreign nationals, students and U.S. employers who have long relied on more flexible arrangements which allowed applicants who are temporarily abroad (e.g. studying, working, visiting) to apply in third countries not their home or country of residence to avoid lengthy backlogs at home or to combine visa processing with international travel..

How realistic is Trump’s immigration agenda?

The new policy will provide a pathway to lawful permanent residence (otherwise known as a “Green Card”) and eventually U.S. citizenship for foreign nationals currently present in the United States without documentation who are married to U.S. citizens.