Beginning September 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of State significantly reduced the number of visa applicants who can avoid an in-person consular interview. For many people applying for a visa, including people renewing a visa they have held before, an in-person interview is now expected. This update may affect travel plans, work assignments, school start dates, and other immigration-related timelines.

Below, Ventresca & Ventresca LLP explains the update in plain language based on the Department of State policy summary. This is a general overview of the stated change and should not be treated as a guarantee that an interview waiver will be available in any individual case.

Most Visa Applicants Must Interview in Person

The largest change is simple: interview waivers are no longer generally available for most visa categories. An interview waiver is a process that lets an eligible applicant apply for a visa without appearing in person at a U.S. consulate or embassy.

Under the update, in-person interviews are required for most visa applicants. The listed examples include E-1 and E-2 treaty trader and investor visas, F-1 student visas, H-1B specialty occupation visas, J-1 exchange visitor visas, L-1 intracompany transfer visas, and O-1 visas for individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement. The policy summary also states that the change applies to other visa categories unless they are specifically listed as remaining eligible for a waiver.

This means a prior visa history, even a clean history with previous approvals, does not by itself allow a person to skip the interview. Repeat applicants and people seeking visa renewals should plan on the possibility of attending a consular interview.

Age Does Not Automatically Remove the Interview Requirement

The update also affects applicants who are younger than 14 or older than 79. According to the policy summary, applicants in these age groups are also required to attend an in-person interview.

Families should keep this in mind when planning international travel or coordinating visa applications for children or older relatives. They should not assume that an age-based exception will be available.

Who May Still Qualify for a B Visa Waiver?

Some applicants renewing a full-validity B-1, B-2, or combined B-1/B-2 visitor visa may still qualify for an interview waiver. The same may be true for certain applicants renewing a Border Crossing Card or Foil. However, every stated condition must be met.

To remain eligible for this waiver, an applicant must apply within 12 months after the prior visa expires. The applicant also must have been at least 18 years old when the previous visa was issued.

In addition, the applicant must apply in the person’s country of nationality or country of residence. The applicant must not have had a visa refusal unless that refusal was overcome or waived. Finally, there must be no apparent or potential issue that could make the person ineligible for a visa.

These requirements are important because an applicant may meet one condition but not another. For example, a person may be renewing a visitor visa on time but may not qualify for the waiver if the application is submitted outside the person’s country of nationality or residence.

Some Diplomatic and Official Visa Applicants Remain Eligible

The policy summary states that interview waivers remain available for applicants in certain diplomatic and official visa categories. These include A-1, A-2, C-3, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1 through NATO-6, and TECRO E-1 visas, as well as applicants for diplomatic- or official-type visas.

These categories are limited and do not apply to most travelers, students, employees, or business visitors. Applicants should carefully identify the visa category involved before assuming that an interview waiver is available.

A Waiver Is Never Guaranteed

Even when an applicant appears to meet the waiver requirements, a consular officer may still require an in-person interview. The policy expressly allows officers to request an interview on a case-by-case basis for any reason.

In practical terms, applicants should prepare for the possibility of an interview even if they believe they qualify for a waiver. A waiver process does not remove the consulate’s ability to ask for more review in an individual application.

What This May Mean for Timing

The policy summary warns that visa appointment backlogs and processing delays may become longer at many consulates, particularly at high-volume locations. Because more applicants may need interview appointments, scheduling can become a more important part of visa planning.

Ventresca & Ventresca LLP encourages individuals, families, employers, and HR professionals to account for possible appointment delays when planning travel, work authorization-related travel, employee transfers, school attendance, or other matters that require visa stamping abroad.

The update also makes applying at a different consulate more complicated for certain visitor-visa renewal applicants. To qualify for the B-1/B-2 waiver described above, eligible applicants must apply in their country of nationality or residence. The policy summary notes that this adds risk for applicants who seek appointments outside those locations.

Practical Steps to Consider

• Plan early. Allow time for an appointment and possible processing delays when an in-person visa interview may be needed.
• Confirm the visa category. Different rules may apply depending on the visa classification.
• Review renewal timing. For B-1, B-2, and B-1/B-2 renewals, the timing of the application in relation to the prior visa’s expiration matters.
• Check where the application will be filed. A visitor-visa waiver may depend on applying in the country of nationality or residence.
• Prepare for an interview. Consular officers can require one even when an applicant may otherwise appear eligible for a waiver.

FAQ

Do H-1B visa applicants still receive interview waivers for renewals?

The policy summary lists H-1B among the visa categories for which in-person interviews will generally be required. It also states that waivers will no longer be available simply because an applicant is renewing a visa.

Can a child under 14 skip the interview?

No. The stated update says that applicants under age 14, as well as applicants over age 79, are required to attend an in-person interview.

Can a B-1/B-2 visitor visa applicant still qualify for a waiver?

Possibly. The applicant must meet the listed requirements, including applying within 12 months of the previous visa’s expiration, applying in the country of nationality or residence, and having no unresolved visa refusal or apparent ineligibility issue.

Does meeting every waiver requirement guarantee that no interview will be required?

No. A consular officer may require an in-person interview on a case-by-case basis for any reason.

Why should employers pay attention to this update?

Employees who need visa stamping abroad may need interview appointments, and the policy summary anticipates longer backlogs and delays at some consulates. Employers may need to consider this possibility when planning international travel or employee assignments.

Immigration rules and consular procedures can be time-sensitive. If this interview-waiver update affects a pending or planned matter, contact Ventresca & Ventresca LLP for guidance tailored to your situation. Our Wexford, Pennsylvania immigration law team can help you understand the stated requirements and plan next steps.