Visa renewals in the United States to no longer include interview waiver option, effective from September.
Starting September 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of State will implement a substantial modification to its visa interview waiver program, affecting a wide range of nonimmigrant visa categories.
The broad eligibility for interview waivers has ended, with first-time applicants and nearly all renewal applicants no longer qualifying. Interview waivers are now limited mainly to diplomatic and official visa holders (A, C-3, G, NATO categories) and a very narrow set of renewing B-1, B-2, or B1/B2 visa holders meeting strict criteria.
Visa categories such as H-1B, L-1, F-1, J-1, O-1, E-1, E-2 are explicitly excluded from interview waiver eligibility for renewals and first-time applications. Applicants in these categories will have to attend interviews at a U.S. consulate or embassy.
Children under 14 and adults over 79, who were previously eligible for waivers on renewal, are now generally required to interview in-person. This change affects other popular visa categories, such as H-1B workers and F-1 students, who were previously able to skip the interview step.
The interview waiver rules are subject to changes in U.S. policy. As of July 25, 2025, applicants whose visas in the same category had expired within the past 12 months are no longer eligible for the interview waiver. Consular officers still have the final say in granting interview waivers, even if an applicant meets all the criteria.
Immigration attorney Johnson L. Myalil advises those planning to apply for visa renewal to check for available visa appointments prior to September 2, 2025. The new update narrows the window for interview waivers, especially for people renewing their visas or moving between similar categories.
If an applicant qualifies for the waiver, they will receive instructions on how to submit their documents without needing to book an interview. However, this could lead to longer processing times and the added hassle of planning travel for the interview.
This change in the U.S. visa interview waiver policy is intended to restore pre-pandemic visa screening standards and enhance security. Travelers and visa applicants are encouraged to stay informed about the latest updates and adjust their plans accordingly.
[1] U.S. Department of State, "U.S. Visa Interview Waiver Policy Changes," [link] [2] U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, "Nonimmigrant Visa Categories," [link] [3] U.S. Department of State, "Visa Bulletin," [link] [4] U.S. Customs and Border Protection, "Visa Waiver Program," [link]
- Despite the upcoming changes in the U.S. visa interview waiver program, starting September 2, 2025, travelers planning for a lifestyle change, such as relocating for work in categories like H-1B or F-1, or pursuing education differently, like F-1 students, will have to adjust their plans as the need for in-person interviews may prolong their financial planning due to extended processing times.
- For those considering moving for travel purposes, such as tourists or business travelers under B-1, B-2, or B1/B2 categories, the limited interface waiver eligibility might impact their lifestyle, requiring them to factor in potential travel to U.S. consulates or embassies as they budget and plan their trips.
