The US Department of State has announced changes to its visa interview policies, effective September 2, 2025.
With the revised regulations, in-person interviews will become mandatory for most nonimmigrant visa applicants, effectively phasing out the wide-ranging interview waivers previously granted in recent years.
“All nonimmigrant visa applicants, including applicants under the age of 14 and over the age of 79, will generally require an in-person interview with a consular officer,” read the announcement.
With the discontinuation of the program for most visa types, applicants will now be required to book and attend an in-person interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, even for standard visa renewals.
Who Will Be Affected
U.S. Consulates will soon implement a scaled-down version of the nonimmigrant visa interview waiver program.
Under the new guidelines, nearly all applicants are required to appear for in-person interviews, with only a few exceptions—primarily for diplomatic visa categories and certain B-1/B-2 renewals.
“The change is set to affect a wide range of individuals, from tourists to students and business travellers, applying to enter the United States.”
The policy also removes previous age-based exemptions, now requiring interviews for applicants younger than 14 and older than 79.
Also Read: What Embassies Ask Kenyans Before Approving a Visa
Most Visa Interview Waivers for Foreigners to End
The revised policy brings an end to interview waivers and discontinues the commonly used “Dropbox” renewal process for most nonimmigrant visa categories. This includes:
- H visas for temporary workers
- L visas for intra-company transferees
- F and M visas for international students and vocational trainees
- J visas for exchange visitors, such as scholars, researchers, and au pairs
Also Read: US Resumes Visa Applications for Foreign Students Under New Guidelines
Categories of Applicants Eligible for Interview Waiver
Only a select group of applicants will remain eligible for an interview waiver under the updated policy:
- Diplomatic and international officials: This includes applicants holding A-1, A-2, C-3 (excluding attendants or personal staff), G-1 to G-4, and NATO-1 to NATO-6 visa categories.
- Applicants for diplomatic or official-type visas will continue to qualify.
- Certain visa renewals: Travellers renewing a full-validity B-1, B-2, or B1/B2 visa—or Mexican nationals renewing a Border Crossing Card—may still be eligible for a waiver if they:
- Apply from their country of nationality or residence
- Were at least 18 years old when the previous visa was issued
- Have no prior visa refusal (unless it was later overcome or waived)
- Show no signs of possible ineligibility
However, even if you are eligible for a waiver, a consular officer may still require an in-person interview.
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