Updates

The U.S. Department of State has issued a major policy shift requiring nonimmigrant visa applicants to seek interviews in their country of nationality or residence, severely limiting the ability of third-country nationals to apply elsewhere and introducing higher risks of refusal without proof of local long-term ties.

USCIS has announced changes to the naturalization test that will take effect in late 2025.

On August 20, 2025, USCIS issued a major policy update revising its guidance on the false claim to U.S. citizenship ground of inadmissibility.

Beginning November 1, 2025, the National Visa Center (NVC) will assign interviews based on an applicant’s country of residence or, if requested, their country of nationality.

On August 11, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced corrections and clarifications to its Temporary Final Rule (TFR) creating a 12-month visa bond pilot program for certain B-1/B-2 visitor visa applicants.

Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued Policy Memorandum PM-602-0188, which establishes a new evaluation standard for naturalization applicants.