Critical Visa Interview Waiver Updates

August 4, 2025

Effective September 2, 2025, the Department of State will update the categories of applicants that may be eligible for a waiver of the nonimmigrant visa interview. This significant change will impact millions of nonimmigrant visa applicants worldwide and will cause a significant disruption in travel for those relying on visa interview waiver. 

What employers and visa applicants need to know: 

1. Generally speaking, nonimmigrant visa applicants of all ages will be required to attend an in-person interview. Previously, nonimmigrant visa applicants under the age of 14 and over the age of 79 were not required to attend an in-person visa interview. 
2. Nonimmigrant visa applicants must fit into one of the exceptions below in order to qualify for visa interview waiver. Previously, many US consulates, including Japan, Brazil and India, permitted primary nonimmigrant visa applications to waive the in-person appointment if other qualifying conditions were met (frequently called “Dropbox Appointments”). In February 2025, the State Department had already narrowed the interview waiver program by limiting it to renewals in the same visa category within 12 months of expiration, and by eliminating eligibility for first-time applicants.
3. As a result of these changes, employers should plan for work disruptions for employees attending visa appointments abroad. This could result in higher rates of 221g administrative processing due to the increased demands put on consulates. 
4. Visa applicants should plan for the possibility of disruption or delay in their return travel as consulates adjust to this significant change. Persons whose visa interview waiver appointments are already scheduled for after September 2, 2025 will likely have their appointments changed to in-person or rescheduled. There is the possibility that they will be cancelled all together. 
5. Visa applicants applying with children or elderly persons will need to plan for challenges associated with waiting for and attending the appointments.

Specifically the announcement from the Department of State states:

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 except:

• Applicants classifiable under the visa symbols A-1, A-2, C-3 (except attendants, servants, or personal employees of accredited officials), G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1 through NATO-6, or TECRO E-1;
• Applicants for diplomatic- or official-type visas; and
• 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 based on the third bullet point above (applicants renewing a full validity B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visa or a Border Crossing Card/Foil for Mexican nationals), applicants must also meet certain criteria, including that they:

• 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 or potential ineligibility.

Consular officers may still require in-person interviews on a case-by-case basis for any reason. Applicants should check embassy and consulate websites for more detailed information about visa application requirements and procedures, and to learn more about the embassy or consulate’s operating status and services.

This supersedes the Interview Waiver Update of February 18, 2025.