South Korea Joins Japan, China, Philippines, Vietnam, India, and Others in Facing New Travel Changes and Visa Delays as US Imposes New Interview Rules: Everything You Need to Know

Published on November 24, 2025

New U.S. Visa Interview Location Policy: Impact on Applicants

The US Department of State‘s return to a stricter visa interview location policy has significantly impacted the visa application process for B1/B2 and other nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applicants. Under the new policy, applicants are required to schedule their in-person interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or legal residence. This change effectively eliminates the practice of “visa shopping,” where applicants previously booked interviews in third countries with shorter wait times. As a result, applicants can no longer bypass lengthy queues in their home country by traveling abroad for faster appointments. This shift is expected to lead to longer waiting times, particularly in high-demand countries like India, where B1/B2 visa wait times can range from 4 to 11 months depending on the consulate. Additionally, the reduction of the interview waiver program, which previously allowed certain applicants to skip the in-person interview, means that more applicants will now need to schedule interviews, further intensifying demand at local consulates.

South Korea: Navigating Visa Delays With Less Impact

South Korea, like Japan, is part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, which means most short-term travelers do not need to go through the B1/B2 visa process. However, for those who do require a non-immigrant visa, the new policy on interview scheduling applies. Although wait times for South Korean applicants are shorter than in other high-demand countries, the elimination of third-country appointments and the increased volume of applicants means that delays are still possible. South Korean applicants should plan accordingly and monitor consulate appointment availability to avoid missing their intended travel dates.

India: A Visa Wait That Feels Like Forever

India continues to experience some of the longest wait times for U.S. visitor visas (B1/B2). The U.S. Department of State reports that applicants in major consulates like New Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai are facing delays of 4 to 11 months, with certain cities seeing even longer waiting times. The recent policy change, which requires interviews to be conducted in the applicant’s country of nationality or legal residence, means that Indian applicants can no longer bypass these delays by applying in third countries. This rule further intensifies the backlog, so applicants need to plan months in advance to secure an interview.

China: Long Lines and Longer Waits

China, like India, has been heavily impacted by the surge in visa applications. With a large number of applicants and a limited number of interview slots, wait times in major consulates such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou can extend into several months. The new requirement to interview only in the applicant’s home country eliminates the option to schedule faster appointments in third countries, exacerbating the existing delays. As demand continues to rise, Chinese applicants should expect extended waiting periods and should apply well ahead of their travel plans.

Philippines: Navigating a Growing Visa Backlog

In the Philippines, the wait times for U.S. B1/B2 visa appointments are also significant, especially in Manila, which experiences high demand. While the U.S. Embassy in Manila provides general wait times, the increased demand combined with the restriction on third-country interview scheduling means that Filipino applicants are facing longer delays than ever. Applicants will no longer have the flexibility of scheduling interviews in other countries with shorter queues, making early application crucial to avoid missing travel opportunities.

Vietnam: Visa Delays Ahead for Growing Demand

Vietnam is experiencing rising demand for U.S. visas, particularly for B1/B2 categories. Due to high volumes of applicants, wait times have been increasing. The U.S. Embassy in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City has seen significant backlogs, with wait times now ranging from several months. The recent changes in policy—restricting interviews to the applicant’s country of nationality or legal residence—mean that Vietnamese applicants will face further delays, as they can no longer take advantage of faster processing in neighboring countries. Applicants should factor in these wait times when planning their visa applications.

Japan: Shorter Waits, But Plan Ahead

Japan benefits from the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, which allows many travelers to visit the U.S. without a B1/B2 visa for short stays. However, for those requiring a full visa, wait times can still be an issue, especially as the new rule requires applicants to schedule interviews in their country of nationality or legal residence. While Japan generally experiences shorter wait times compared to countries like India and China, applicants should still expect some delays, particularly as the reduction of interview waivers means more people will need to attend in-person interviews. Planning early is still important.

South Korea joins Japan, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, India, and others in facing new travel changes and visa delays as the US imposes stricter interview rules. Applicants must now schedule interviews in their home country, leading to longer wait times

Conclusion

South Korea joins Japan, China, Philippines, Vietnam, India, and other countries in facing new travel changes and visa delays as US imposes stricter interview rules. With the new policy requiring applicants to schedule interviews in their home country, the ability to bypass long queues by applying in third countries has been eliminated. This has led to longer wait times and increased backlogs at U.S. consulates, especially in high-demand regions. The combination of these stricter rules and the reduction of interview waivers means that applicants must now plan further ahead to avoid delays. As visa processing times grow longer, travelers must adjust their expectations and apply as early as possible to secure their appointments in time for their travel plans.