The U.S State Department has reviewed its waiver for carious categories. In the latest review, the Department of State has announced that nonimmigrant visa applicants in the majority of visa categories including renewals, will be required to attend in-person interviews starting from September 2, 2025.
“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,” the Department of State said in its latest update.
However, there will be exceptions depending on the location the application is made and the type of visa being applied for. These exceptions will made for U.S visa applications classified under the visa symbols A-1, A-2, C-3 with the exception of attendants, servants or personal employees of accredited officials, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1 through NATO-6, or TECROe-1.
Applicants for diplomatic or official-type of visas will be exempted from the in-person requirement. Also exempted will be applicants renewing a full validity B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visa or a Border Crossing Card/Foil for Mexican nationals, within 12 months of the prior visa’s expiration, and who were at least 18 years old at the time of the prior visa’s issuance.
“To be eligible for an interview waiver for nonimmigrant tourist and business visas, applicants renewing a full validity B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visa or a Border Crossing Card/Foil for Mexican nationals must apply in their country of nationality or residence, have never been refused a visa unless such refusal was overcome or waived, and have no apparent potential ineligibility,” the Department of State said in its latest update.
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In addition to this, the department further cautioned that consular officers may still require an in-person interview even for applicants who are eligible for exemption on a case by case basis and for any reason.
