New U.S. Consulate Rules for H-2A Visas

The U.S. Department of State has announced major changes to the consular process for H-2A workers. These updates were originally announced on July 25, 2025. The U.S. Consulate team from Mission Mexico held a webinar on August 12, 2025, confirming the upcoming changes and providing additional operational details for operations in Mexico. The planned changes are set to go into effect on September 2, 2025. While all consulates worldwide will now require in-person interviews for H-2A visas, we are specifically focusing on operations in Mexico for this article.

Key Changes:

• Mandatory Interviews for ALL H-2A Workers:

  • All H-2 applicants (first-time and renewals) must now attend an in-person interview. Interview waivers are eliminated, meaning all workers, regardless of whether they are a returning worker, must attend an in-person interview.

• Updates to Consular Posts Processing H-2A Visas:

  • H-2A visas will be processed at all Mission Mexico posts except Mérida.

    • Active H-2A posts include: Monterrey, Tijuana, Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, Hermosillo, Nogales, Ciudad Juárez

    • Mexico City: Starting Sept 2025

    • Guadalajara: Starting Feb 2026

  • Individual consulates may provide additional details about their unique H-2A processes at a future date. 

  • Employers may schedule appointments at any H-2A consulate with availability for processing unnamed petitions, even if the employer indicated a different location on the I-129

• Changes to H-4 Dependent Appointment Scheduling:

  • H-4 Dependents must be scheduled individually in YATRI and can no longer be scheduled with the principal H-2A petition group.

New Three Business Day Model:

• Day 1 – Consular Application Service (CAS): Biometrics and Document Submission

• Day 2 – Interviews: All H-2 applicants must arrive before 7:00 a.m.

  • All interviews will be completed on Day 2 of the new consular process unless additional interviews are required.

• Day 3 – Visa Printing and Return

Application Requirements:

• Passports: Must be valid and in good condition. Damaged passports will be rejected.

• Prohibition on Advance Booking of Consular Appointments: Do not book visa appointments until the USCIS petition is approved. Unauthorized bookings could result in the loss of scheduling privileges.

• Photos: A new photo (taken within 6 months) is still required for every application; applicants should not re-use old photos. Workers should bring a printed copy in addition to uploading it to the DS-160.

• Timeliness: Late arrivals may not be rescheduled during peak season and could lead to automatic visa denials.

How Seso is Prepared to Navigate the New Consular Process:

To ensure a seamless experience for H-2A workers and employers despite the upcoming changes, Seso has meticulously planned and adjusted our on-the-ground operations in Mexico to account for mandatory interviews for all workers.

Day 0 – Worker Arrival

• Workers arrive at the Seso-designated hotel

• Onboarding is conducted in a space designated by the Seso representatives

• Workers receive instructions for consular process

• All visa documentation is collected and reviewed with workers

Day 1 – Consular Appointments

• Seso coordinates travel for workers to CAS and back to the hotel

• Biometrics for applicable workers are taken at CAS

• Seso Consular team submits documents at the consulate for both first-time and for renewing applicants

• Interview list and time is sent out by the Consulate the afternoon of Day 1

Day 2 –  Interviews & Visa Adjudication

• Seso coordinates travel from worker hotel to Consulate, and back to the hotel

• Worker interviews occur early on the morning of Day 2 at the Consulate 

• Application review and visa adjudication day

Day 3 – Visa Handout Departure

• Approved Visas are issued and returned to the Seso team in the afternoon

• Visas are scanned and passed back to workers

• Workers depart for the job site in the afternoon or the next day, depending on the means of transportation and schedules

If you have questions about the new consular process, please do not hesitate to reach out to your designated Seso representative.