State Department Narrows Interview Waiver Eligibility

Beginning October 1, 2025, the U.S. Department of State will require most nonimmigrant visa applicants to attend an in-person interview, ending the broad interview waiver program. Limited waivers will still apply only in specific cases, such as renewals of full-validity B1/B2 visas within 12 months of expiration (if issued after age 18 and with no prior visa denials), and for certain diplomatic or official visas like A, G, NATO, and TECRO E-1. However, most other categories—including F and J student visas, H-1B, L-1, E-1, E-2, O-1, and TN visas—will now require an interview, and the previous age-based exemptions for applicants under 14 and over 79 are eliminated. Applicants should plan ahead, as this change is expected to affect processing times and appointment availability. 

Read more on this page Interview Waiver Update September 18, 2025 DOS Announces Update to Interview Waiver Policy

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