New US Visa Rule Forces Foreign Passport Holders To Return Home

The United States has quietly changed its visa application process, leaving global travellers including many South Africans with fewer options and more hurdles to jump through.

What Changed

The US Department of State has announced that non-immigrant visa applicants must now attend their interviews either in their country of nationality or in their country of legal residence. Unless you can prove residency elsewhere, you’ll need to travel home to complete the process.

For South Africans living abroad without formal residency papers, this could mean unexpected trips back home. And for nationals of countries without US representation, it adds another logistical twist, as they’ll have to use specific designated embassies or consulates.

Why It Matters For South Africans

South Africans already face notoriously long wait times for US visas, with some interviews booked out months in advance. The new rule removes the flexibility many relied on applying for visas in other countries where slots were available sooner.

Local immigration specialists say this could seriously impact South African business travellers, digital nomads and families planning trips. For a country with a large community of professionals working remotely or abroad, the extra admin is a heavy blow.

Travel Industry Concerns

Za Nkosi, operations manager at FCM, says the change could slow down international business. “Global companies with US headquarters or big teams travelling for projects will feel the impact. This is going to add time, admin and a layer of complexity for globally mobile employees,” he explains.

Travel managers now face the added job of tracking appointment wait times, educating employees on the rules and preparing for potential delays.

Pressure On An Overloaded System

The US visa system was already strained. Long queues, centralised processing and limited availability of appointments have been a recurring headache. Candice Magen, director of Abroadscope, believes the new rule could make things worse. “Urgent travellers previously had the option of applying at any centre. Now, they’re stuck with stricter appointment systems, which will reduce flexibility and add pressure on both consulates and applicants.”

A Step Backward In A Digital Age?

While many countries are moving towards digital visas and faster e-gate systems, the US decision feels like a step in the opposite direction. “Requiring applicants to go back to their country of origin excludes many nationals, creates bias in processing and may even lead to fabricated travel plans just to secure an appointment,” says Magen.

The Bigger Picture

The move highlights a growing tension between increased global mobility and the slow, bureaucratic systems meant to regulate it. For South Africans, it’s another reminder that travel freedom often comes with hidden costs. Whether the new system will streamline or simply slow down US-bound travel remains to be seen.

Source: Travel News 

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