The US Department of State has announced sweeping changes to its nonimmigrant visa interview waiver program, set to take effect on September 2, 2025, reversing the policy introduced earlier this year on February 18, 2025.
The new rules will significantly narrow eligibility for interview waivers, requiring most applicants—including children under 14 and seniors over 79—to undergo in-person consular interviews, with limited exceptions. The policy shift is aimed at tightening security but has already raised concerns over increased processing delays and accessibility challenges, according to a statement by the Department of State.
New Visa Interview Waiver Guidelines
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Waivers will only apply to select categories, including A-1, A-2, C-3 (excluding attendants of officials), G-1 to G-4, NATO-1 to NATO-6, TECRO E-1, and holders of diplomatic or official visas.
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Renewals of B-1, B-2, or B1/B2 visas (including Mexican Border Crossing Cards) will remain eligible for waiver if:
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The renewal is done within 12 months of the previous visa’s expiration.
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The applicant was 18 years or older when the visa was issued.
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The renewal application is filed in the applicant’s home country.
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Applicants must also have no prior visa refusals (unless overturned or waived) and no apparent ineligibility, with consular officers retaining full discretion to mandate interviews when necessary.
Expert Concerns
Immigration attorney Steven Brown, based in Houston, warned that the change would result in “longer waits for appointments” and criticized the requirement for interviews for children.
“My reading of this is that they are basically getting rid of Dropbox (interview waivers) for most categories. This will lead to longer waits and is significantly less efficient for renewals. Also requiring interviews for children is patently absurd,” Brown posted on X (formerly Twitter).
What Applicants Should Know
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) emphasized that consular officers have the flexibility to request interviews based on local conditions or security concerns. Applicants are advised to check embassy and consulate websites for updated application procedures and operating statuses.
