From September 2, 2025, most applicants for US non-immigrant visas, including those under 14 and over 79, will be required to appear for an in-person interview. The US Department of State made this announcement in its July 25 update, which revises earlier visa interview waiver guidelines and narrows eligibility.
The update limits the number of people who can skip visa interviews and places new restrictions on B1/B2 visa renewals. The move signals a shift toward stricter screening for short-term travel and business visas, even for individuals who previously qualified for waivers.
What’s changing from September 2?
Under the revised policy, all non-immigrant visa applicants, regardless of age, will generally need to attend an in-person interview. This includes children below 14 years and older adults above 79, who were earlier exempt in many cases.
The updated policy replaces the broader interview waiver provisions issued on February 18, 2025.
Who can still skip the interview?
Only specific categories of applicants will continue to qualify for interview waivers. These include:
1. Diplomatic and official visa applicants
Those applying under the following visa categories may still be eligible:
2. Renewals of full-validity visitor visas (B-1, B-2, or B1/B2)
What are the conditions for B1/B2 visa renewal waivers?
To qualify for an interview waiver under the B1/B2 renewal category, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
Can an interview still be required?
Yes. The Department of State has clarified that consular officers can still require an in-person interview at their discretion, even if the applicant appears eligible for a waiver. This means there are no guarantees, and case-by-case decisions may override waiver eligibility.
What does this mean for Indian travellers?
Many Indian nationals applying for short-term visitor visas (B1/B2), often used for tourism, family visits, and business meetings, have benefited from past interview waivers. With the new rules, more applicants, including those who had full-validity visas in the past, may now be required to appear for interviews unless they meet all waiver conditions.
This could lead to longer processing times at US consulates in India, especially in major cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad.
What should applicants do now?
The Department advises all visa applicants to check the website of the US embassy or consulate where they plan to apply. Information on document checklists, interview wait times, and local procedures will be available on those sites.
"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,” the announcement added.
Why was the policy changed?
While the Department has not provided a detailed explanation for the revised rules, the move likely reflects a return to standard visa processing following years of temporary waivers introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to manage backlogs and reduce in-person contact.
What does this update replace?
This policy change replaces the Interview Waiver Update of February 18, 2025, which allowed broader exemptions for in-person interviews.
The decision may slow down the visa process for thousands of travellers, especially those planning trips around the year-end holiday season.
The update limits the number of people who can skip visa interviews and places new restrictions on B1/B2 visa renewals. The move signals a shift toward stricter screening for short-term travel and business visas, even for individuals who previously qualified for waivers.
What’s changing from September 2?
Under the revised policy, all non-immigrant visa applicants, regardless of age, will generally need to attend an in-person interview. This includes children below 14 years and older adults above 79, who were earlier exempt in many cases.
The updated policy replaces the broader interview waiver provisions issued on February 18, 2025.
Who can still skip the interview?
Only specific categories of applicants will continue to qualify for interview waivers. These include:
1. Diplomatic and official visa applicants
Those applying under the following visa categories may still be eligible:
- A-1, A-2, C-3 (excluding attendants, servants, or personal employees of officials)
- G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4
- NATO-1 through NATO-6
- TECRO E-1 (Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office)
2. Renewals of full-validity visitor visas (B-1, B-2, or B1/B2)
- Applicants renewing these visas or Border Crossing Cards/Foils (in the case of Mexican nationals) may qualify, but only if the renewal is within 12 months of the previous visa’s expiry and all additional conditions are met.
What are the conditions for B1/B2 visa renewal waivers?
To qualify for an interview waiver under the B1/B2 renewal category, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Apply in their country of nationality or residence
- Have never been refused a visa, unless the refusal was later overcome or waived
- Have no apparent or potential ineligibility
- Applicants who do not meet even one of these criteria will need to attend an in-person interview.
Can an interview still be required?
Yes. The Department of State has clarified that consular officers can still require an in-person interview at their discretion, even if the applicant appears eligible for a waiver. This means there are no guarantees, and case-by-case decisions may override waiver eligibility.
What does this mean for Indian travellers?
Many Indian nationals applying for short-term visitor visas (B1/B2), often used for tourism, family visits, and business meetings, have benefited from past interview waivers. With the new rules, more applicants, including those who had full-validity visas in the past, may now be required to appear for interviews unless they meet all waiver conditions.
This could lead to longer processing times at US consulates in India, especially in major cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad.
What should applicants do now?
The Department advises all visa applicants to check the website of the US embassy or consulate where they plan to apply. Information on document checklists, interview wait times, and local procedures will be available on those sites.
"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,” the announcement added.
Why was the policy changed?
While the Department has not provided a detailed explanation for the revised rules, the move likely reflects a return to standard visa processing following years of temporary waivers introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to manage backlogs and reduce in-person contact.
What does this update replace?
This policy change replaces the Interview Waiver Update of February 18, 2025, which allowed broader exemptions for in-person interviews.
The decision may slow down the visa process for thousands of travellers, especially those planning trips around the year-end holiday season.
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