India, Sept. 8 -- The US Department of State recently updated its visa norms for non-immigrant visa applicants, making the interview appointment mandatory in the applicant's country of residence. With the new guidelines, Indian visa applicants will face a significant challenge to book a quick B1 (business) or B2 (tourist) visa appointment from another country.

In a notice dated September 6, the US Department of State said that the applicant for a non-immigrant visa (NIV) should schedule their visa interview at the US Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence. It further said that those applicants who schedule their interviews at the US Embassy or Consulate outside their country of residence will experience more difficulty in qua...