USA interview waiver

U.S. Slashes Interview Waiver Eligibility for Visas Starting September 2025

The U.S. Department of State has announced major changes to its Interview Waiver Program, effective September 2, 2025, significantly narrowing eligibility for nonimmigrant visa applicants

What’s Changed

• Most applicants including those under 14 and over 79 will now be required to attend an in-person visa interview unless they fall into very specific exception categories
• The broader interview waiver window (from 48 to 12 months post-expiration) is repealed. Only applicants renewing a full-validity B‑1, B‑2, or B‑1/B‑2 visa (or a Mexican Border Crossing Card) within 12 months of expiry may still apply for a waiver, provided they meet strict criteria, including:
• Applying inside their country of residence or nationality
• Being at least 18 at the time of the prior visa issuance
• Having no prior visa refusals or apparent ineligibility

Who Still Qualifies for a Waiver?

Only the following categories remain automatically eligible:

• Diplomatic and official visa holders (A‑1, A‑2, C‑3 excluding attendants, G‑1 to G‑4, NATO‑1 through ‑6, TECRO E‑1)
• Applicants renewing a qualifying B‑visa or Border Card within 12 months of expiry, meeting the criteria above

Note: Consular officers retain discretion to require interviews even when applicants meet waiver criteria

Why It Matters

• The rollback reverses the temporary pandemic-era expansions, which allowed renewals within a 48-month window; this broader approach is ending permanently
• As a result, thousands of travelers including students, professionals, and seniors will now be required to attend a live consular interview.
• The shift may exacerbate appointment backlogs and longer visa processing times, especially at high-demand consulates like those in India and major hubs globally

What to Do Now

• Apply before September 1, 2025, if you currently qualify under the older waiver rules.
• Check your local U.S. embassy or consulate website for specific instructions and appointment availability.
• If you no longer qualify for an interview waiver:
• Book an in-person interview appointment
• Monitor for available cancellation slots
• Consider requesting an expedited appointment if eligible

Final Take

This policy adjustment marks a major rollback in visa processing flexibility. While aimed at bolstering security, it represents a return to stricter, pre-pandemic standards for most visa applicants.

Travelers are advised to adjust plans accordingly interview requirements will become the norm, not the exception.