Immigration Lawyer Blog
When it comes to applying for a U.S. work visa, one of the most important — and often overlooked — decisions you’ll make is where to schedule your visa interview.
While most applicants automatically default to the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country, that may not always be the fastest or most convenient option.
With backlogs, varying appointment availability, and differences in approval rates, choosing the right embassy can make a big difference in how quickly and smoothly your application is processed.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the key factors to consider — from current wait times to local requirements — so you can strategically select the best location for your visa interview and increase your chances of success.
Overview
In this guide, we will specifically cover visa interview appointments for the E-2, L-1, and H-1B visa categories, which are among the most common U.S. work and investor visas. Choosing the right U.S. embassy or consulate for your interview is particularly important for these visas because not every Consulate is experienced in handling these types of cases.
The Busy Embassy Myth
One common belief among visa applicants is the “busy embassy myth” — a belief that a busy U.S. embassy will cause visa processing delays. In reality, a busy embassy can make your visa process much smoother because it means that the post processes a high volume of E visas, and L visas, increasing your likelihood of success because of the Consulate’s experience with those cases leading to a fair adjudication.
Many high-volume embassies, like those in Canada or Mexico City, have streamlined systems, experienced officers, and more frequent appointment openings. Meanwhile, smaller posts may have limited staffing, fewer appointment slots, or stricter documentation review. Instead of assuming a less slow location is better, applicants should look at actual wait times, local procedures, and chances of approval when selecting where to apply.