For many years, and especially during COVID, the State Department (DOS) allowed certain non-immigrants to apply for and obtain a visa at US consulates other than those in countries where they reside and/or hold nationality. Most often this would be an Indian or Chinese applicant applying for a non-immigrant visa at a US consulate in Canada or Mexico rather than flying all the way “home.” Canada or Mexico would be the “third country” other than the home country and the US.
The Trump Administration continues its war on every type of US immigration by foreclosing the use of third-country visas. This new rule does not impact non-immigrant applications filed with the consulate or interview scheduled before September 6, 2025.
As with many Trump Administration policies, there is no logical reason for this new rule other than to make the immigration process as difficult as possible. This change will likely cause longer wait times at consulates.
At Tidwell, Swaim & Farquhar, we are monitoring this and other sudden changes implemented by the Trump Administration, and we will continue to help people navigate them.
