6 Reasons the New US Visa Rule Matters for UAE Residents
<p><strong>Dubai, UAE – September 7, 2025:</strong> New U.S. visa rules came into effect on <strong>September 6, 2025</strong>, requiring all nonimmigrant visa applicants to schedule interviews <strong>in the country where they legally reside</strong>. For UAE residents and expats, this means interviews must now be booked <strong>only at the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate in Dubai</strong>.</p><h3>Six Key Points UAE Residents Should Know</h3><p><strong>Apply where you live:</strong> Only UAE residents can apply in Abu Dhabi or Dubai. Non-residents must apply in their home or official country of residence.</p><p><strong>UAE residence visa required:</strong> Proof of residency is mandatory; applications without a valid UAE residence visa will be rejected.</p><p><strong>Applying abroad is riskier:</strong> Scheduling interviews outside your residence country may raise questions about ties and eligibility, reducing approval chances.</p><p><strong>Fees are non-refundable:</strong> Visa fees cannot be transferred. Applying in the wrong country means losing the payment and starting over.</p><p><strong>Longer wait times abroad:</strong> Processing times vary worldwide, and applying outside the UAE could add months to secure an interview slot.</p><p><strong>Existing appointments safe:</strong> Those who already booked interviews in Abu Dhabi or Dubai are unaffected by the new rule.</p><h3>Why This Matters</h3><p>UAE residents must now <strong>book interviews locally</strong> to avoid delays, lost fees, or additional scrutiny. The U.S. has also noted that <strong>Iranian nationals</strong> should continue applying at the U.S. Consulate in Dubai, as nonimmigrant visas are not processed inside Iran.</p><p>Applicants are strongly advised to <strong>check the official U.S. Embassy and Consulate websites</strong> in the UAE before scheduling their appointments.</p>