On July 25, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced sweeping changes to its visa interview waiver policy, set to take effect on September 2, 2025. The updated guidance significantly reduces eligibility for interview waivers and reinstates in-person interviews for the vast majority of visa categories.
Key Changes:
- Most visa applicants—including those seeking E-1, E-2, F-1, H-1B, J-1, L-1, O-1 visas and others—will now be required to attend in-person interviews, regardless of whether they are first-time applicants or renewing a prior visa.
- Children under 14 and adults over 79, previously exempt, must now appear for interviews.
Limited Exceptions:
Interview waivers will remain available only for applicants renewing a full-validity B-1, B-2, or B1/B2 visa, or a Border Crossing Card/Foil, provided all of the following apply:
- Renewal is within 12 months of the prior visa’s expiration;
- The applicant was at least 18 years old when the prior visa was issued;
- The application is submitted in the applicant’s country of nationality or residence;
- There is no history of visa refusal (unless overcome or waived);
- There are no signs of ineligibility.
Waivers will also remain in place for diplomatic or official visa applicants in the A, G, NATO, C-3, and TECRO E-1 categories. Despite eligibility, consular officers may still require an in-person interview at their discretion.
Effective Date:
These changes will take effect September 2, 2025.
Practical Considerations:
- Expect increased processing times and longer wait periods for visa appointments, especially at high-volume consular posts.
- All applicants, including those with a history of approved visas, should now plan for in-person interviews.
- “Consular shopping” is discouraged—B-1/B-2 applicants must apply in their country of nationality or residence to qualify for a waiver.
- Applicants should closely monitor the websites of U.S. embassies and consulates for updates and country-specific instructions.
This policy marks a return to pre-pandemic norms, with a renewed emphasis on in-person adjudications across most visa categories.
If you have any questions about visa interview waiver, please contact one our Chicago, IL for guidance.
At HSD Immigration Lawyer, we specialize in complex employment– investment- and family-based immigration matters.