On July 25, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced a significant recission of its visa interview waiver policy, which will become effective from September 2, 2025.
Under this new policy change, in-person interviews will become mandatory for the majority of visa categories, including H-1B, L-1, F-1, J-1, O-1, E-1, and E-2, among others. Notably, even applicants under the age of 14 and over 79 will no longer be exempt.
Interview waivers for B-1/B-2 visa renewals will remain available, but only under strict conditions. To qualify, the applicant must apply within 12 months of the previous visa’s expiration, must not have any prior visa refusals and must apply from their country of nationality or residence.
Diplomatic and official visa categories (A, G, NATO, TECRO E-1) will continue to be eligible for waivers.
Key Takeaways:
- Expect longer wait times and processing delays at U.S. consulates globally.
- In-person interviews are back as the default, even for repeat applicants.
- Pursuing visa applications outside one’s home country, commonly referred to as ‘consular shopping’, will carry increased risks.
- Check local U.S. embassy/consulate websites for post-specific guidance.
Applicants are advised to plan ahead and prepare for their visa interviews, even if they’ve previously qualified for a waiver.
