Obtaining a visa for the United States has just reached a new level of complexity. At the end of April 2026, an internal memo from the US State Department revealed a major change to the embassy interview procedure. From now on, every applicant for a temporary visa will have to undergo a strict filter linked to asylum and security in country of origin.
For international travelers - particularly those from Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Asia, for whom visas are a must - going to the consular counter unprepared has become too risky.
THE State Department telegram was reported by The Washington Post.
What changes during the embassy interview?
Until now, validation of your visa (whether tourist, student or work visa) was based on a simple principle: prove that you had solid ties in your country of residence and that you had no intention of settling illegally in the USA. Today, the U.S. administration has added a further hurdle. Consular officers are instructed to ensure that you are not seeking to flee your country.
Two new questions are now automatically asked during the interview:
«Have you suffered harm or mistreatment in your country of nationality or last habitual residence?»
«Do you fear harm or mistreatment if you return to your country of nationality?»
The penalty is immediate A "yes" or "no" answer means that the application is almost automatically blocked. The avowed aim of the American authorities is to block upstream those likely to apply for asylum once they have arrived at customs controls (the famous ports of entry).
💡 Advice from our USA destination expert
There's a real legal trap here. Lying to a consular officer and answering «no» is considered perjury. This can result in a lifetime ban on entry. Conversely, telling the truth will block your temporary visa immediately. Faced with these questions, there's no room for improvisation at the counter.
Are you affected by this directive?
The short answer is yes. Nearly 11 million non-immigrant visas are issued each year (according to 2024 data), and this new instruction applies to all of these categories :
Tourism and Business (B1/B2) The most popular visa category worldwide.
Students (F, M) : Already targeted by an increased search of their social networks since 2025.
Skilled workers (H-1B) And seasonal workers, which meet a direct economic need for American companies.
This measure takes on a very special dimension. The current migratory context in the United States, marked by recent presidential decrees and the suspension of entry for nationals of more than a dozen countries, makes embassies particularly intractable. The slightest doubt results in a refusal.
How our agency secures your request ESTA
The ESTA is the electronic travel authorization mandatory for visa-exempt nationalities. The process is carried out online, and is essential to guarantee your departure for the United States. When you apply, you'll need to supply a legible copy of your passport and a high-quality passport photo with a neutral background.
With the US administration tightening its filters, it's advisable to complete a ESTA application correctly to ensure your application is approved. Our approach has been completely rethought to incorporate these new diplomatic requirements. Here are our recommendations and tips for a complete file:
- Documents : Be sure to send a copy of your very good quality. It is essential that the information on the main page of your passport (identity) is clearly legible. Your passport photo should be taken against a neutral background, with the focus on your face. Your eyes should be facing the lens. It's a good idea to remove your glasses when taking the photo.
- Social networks : On your form, we strongly advise you to indicate the URL links of your accounts. The authorities require your social networks to be in “public” mode.
- Travel history : If you have been to North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen or Cuba since March 1, 2011, you will not be eligible for a ESTA, even if you are a national of a Schengen member country. The same applies to nationals of these countries.
We advise you to comply with these requirements to avoid any refusal or difficulties when you arrive in the United States.
U.S. immigration rules change from month to month. Our agency is constantly in touch with the State Department's guidelines to ensure that every step of your consular process is secure.
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