An existing policy, not a new October announcement
A shorter queue in another country can look attractive when a family is waiting for an immigrant visa. Before paying for flights or a hotel, check whether that post is permitted to handle the case. Interview location is an administrative rule with practical consequences, not simply a preference the applicant can select.
The State Department’s policy page was last updated July 15, 2026. It states that NVC scheduling based on residence, or nationality when requested, took effect November 1, 2025. This October 13 explainer describes that existing policy; it does not announce a new restriction today.
Start with residence, nationality and the designated post
The usual interview location is the consular district designated for the applicant’s residence, or the country of nationality if requested. Where routine visa operations are unavailable, the designated processing post matters. Check the current official post list and local instructions instead of assuming the nearest embassy processes immigrant visas.
A temporary visit, hotel booking or relative’s address should not be presented as proof that you live in a country. If requesting a different location, explain the actual facts and preserve documents supporting lawful residence or nationality. NVC may ask for additional evidence or consider whether a limited exception is appropriate.
Request a transfer through NVC
The official transfer instructions direct applicants to NVC’s Public Inquiry Form, including after an interview has been scheduled. Give the requested destination, the reason and supporting eligibility evidence. Do not treat an informal conversation with a consular office as confirmation that the case has moved. Existing appointments generally are not cancelled or rescheduled solely because of the policy.
A focused request is easier to follow
For example, a Nigerian national genuinely residing in another country can organise their passport, residence authorisation and current address evidence before requesting that location. This is a preparation example, not a prediction that NVC will approve a transfer. Nationality-based visa restrictions and eligibility remain separate questions.
- Use the official inquiry page and the private case identifiers it requests; do not publish them on social media.
- Attach clear proof supporting the location request, rather than a large unrelated evidence bundle.
- Keep the sent request, response and any updated appointment instructions together.
- Check NVC’s published response timeframe before repeating the same inquiry.
An exception is a request, not an entitlement
State lists rare humanitarian, medical-emergency and foreign-policy exceptions. A travel inconvenience alone should not be described as a medical emergency. Explain the genuine circumstances and obtain qualified legal advice where safety, lawful presence in the requested country or a nationality-based restriction complicates the request.
Plan around a written decision
Before spending, confirm which post currently holds the case, whether an appointment remains valid, and what the receiving post requires. A transfer does not guarantee an earlier interview or a visa. The useful outcome is an accurate location record and a travel plan based on official instructions, with dates and correspondence you can verify.