Miami – The US State Department has implemented new rules that harden the process to obtain tourism, business, studies or temporary work visas. The changes include additional rates, bonds, elimination of exemptions and geographical restrictions in consular dates.
Since September 6, 2025, all people requesting a non -immigrant visa must do so exclusively in their country of residence or nationality. This eliminates the practice of programming interviews in third countries to avoid long waiting.
The norm especially affects countries with high demand such as India, China, Brazil or Mexico, where delays exceed 20 months in some cases, even reaching a year and a half in Tegucigalpa.
In addition, since September 2, 2025, interview exemptions (“Dropbox”) for common categories such as H, L, F, M, J and O-1 were without effect, which forces the majority of applicants, including children under 14 and people over 79, to attend witness in witness.
“Visa Integrity Fee”
As of October 1, 2025, a new “Integrity Fee” of 250 USD will be implemented, which will be added to the existing costs. Although it could be reimbursable if the applicant fully meets the terms of the visa. The total cost will increase significantly.
In parallel, a pilot bail program (Visa Bond), in force since August 20, 2025, requires deposits between 5,000 and $ 15,000 for some B-1/B-2 visa applicants from countries with high illegal stay rate or insufficient traveler data. If they meet the migratory conditions, the bond is returned; Otherwise, it is lost.
For applicants from countries such as Cuba or Venezuela, where US consulates do not process visas, the requirement to go to alternative venues such as Guyana or Colombia is still valid.
The United States will be the only country that will register a decrease in its income from restrictions on international visitors in 2025, they estimate analysts.
General impact
- Greater waiting times and considerable delays in obtaining consular quotes.
- Elimination of geographical flexibility and administrative exemptions, which increases costs, displacements and logistics complexity.
- A significantly higher total expense, with high rates and possible financial withholdings.
Limited exceptions
Despite the new restrictions, the US Department of State established three exceptions.
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Diplomatic and official visas: certain categories A, G, C and NATO, as well as travel requests covered under the UN agreement agreement, can be managed outside the country of residence.
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Country countries: In cases where the US does not carry out visa procedures, as in Afghanistan, Haiti, Iran, among others, applicants must go to the headquarters designated by the State Department for consular processing.
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Exceptional circumstances: extraordinary permits are expected by Humanitarian reasons, medical emergencies or foreign policy motifs. However, US authorities have not clear what the criteria to apply these exceptions will be clear.
Source: With information from: The Economic Time/USCIS/The National Law Review
