H-1B visa holders required to leave the U.S. for in-person interviews from September

According to an exclusive August 10 report by the Silicon Valley Times, the Trump administration has just dropped another policy bombshell: Starting September 2, the U.S. will officially enforce a new rule for H-1B visa renewals. From then on, applicants who choose to renew their visas outside the United States will be required to return to the U.S. consulate in their country of citizenship for an in-person interview. The long-standing convenience of “third-country renewals” — where applicants could interview in a country other than their own, such as Canada or Mexico — will be completely eliminated.

https://www.siliconvalley.com/2025/08/10/h-1b-visa-government-in-person-interviews-overseas-renewals/

The news has sparked an uproar in the study-abroad and immigration communities. At first glance, it might look like a simple procedural change — but the implications run much deeper:

Shock 1: Flexibility cut off. Many H-1B holders used to choose Canada, Mexico, or other third countries for renewals to avoid the uncertainty and long wait times of home-country interviews. Now, that shortcut is gone.

Shock 2: Increased vulnerability. For work visa holders, having to leave the U.S. for a home-country interview means facing unpredictable risks — long delays, additional document requests, or even outright refusal.

Shock 3: A clear signal. This is not an isolated incident, but part of a years-long tightening trend. The message to all foreign nationals living and working in the U.S. on visas is clear: your convenience is no longer guaranteed.

And the squeeze is not stopping here. In FY2025, the H-1B lottery selection rate was just 34.9%, with Chinese international students at an even lower 11.7%. Rumors are also swirling about the possible cancellation of OPT — the post-graduation work permit that serves as a crucial bridge between student status and employment. If that happens, it would cut off the final pathway for international graduates to remain in the U.S. This means that in the near future, whether you rely on H-1B as a professional or F-1/OPT as a student, you may face an abrupt departure — or the end of your American dream altogether.

Parents’ Anxiety: Years of Investment, Wiped Out by a Policy Shift

 Many families have poured millions of dollars into a U.S. education for their children — covering tuition, living costs, training, and time. Yet a single policy change could abruptly nullify all those efforts at graduation. Students lose the chance to remain in the U.S., and parents see their hopes for their child’s U.S. career vanish, turning years of investment into nothing.Forward-thinking families know they can’t bet their child’s future entirely on the fragile F-1 + H-1B route.

Planning Ahead: A Backup Status Is the Only Safe Option

Visa policies can shift overnight. From the sweeping restrictions under the Trump administration to today’s sudden renewal rule change, history shows that individuals cannot control the political winds. The only real security comes from proactively securing long-term U.S. status for the whole family.

For parents planning to send their children to study in the U.S., it is advisable to plan immigration status early—apply early, get approved early, and benefit early. Currently, the U.S. offers several popular pathways:

● L-1A Visa:

For students and families seeking to stay in the U.S. long term or minimize policy risks,

the L-1A visa is your golden key to a smoother path. As long as you are an executive, entrepreneur, or shareholder, you can apply - and in as little as 4-6 months, move to the U.S. Children can enjoy free public education, spouses are eligible to work, and your child's future in the U.S. will no longer be limited by the H-1B system. And after one year of operation, your family can apply for EB-1C to obtain green card.

● EB-5: U.S. Investment Immigration

With a minimum investment of USD 800,000 in a U.S. government-approved commercial project, if the investment creates 10 jobs, the applicant, spouse, and unmarried children under 21 may obtain a conditional green card within as little as 2–3 years, and a green card in 6–8 years.

● EB-1A: Extraordinary Ability Immigration

Applicants need only prove they have “sustained national or international acclaim” and belong to the “small percentage at the very top of their field.” Within about 3 years, the entire family can directly obtain permanent U.S. residency.

● NIW: National Interest Waiver (a special category under EB-2)

Applicants must demonstrate that their work or research benefits a U.S. national interest and outweighs the need to protect the domestic labor market. The process typically takes about 6 years to obtain a green card.

Since 2016, Globevisa has accumulated extensive hands-on experience in U.S. immigration with numerous successful cases. This includes providing enhanced guidance for clients with weaker qualifications and designing tailored solutions for complex cases. With nearly a decade of project experience, Globevisa has maintained a success rate of over 95% after submission. Our many successful clients are spread across the globe, with 50% of applicants coming from overseas markets such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada, Dubai, and other regions. We have also successfully overturned multiple previously denied cases.