In accordance with Executive Order 14161, titled “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,” signed on January 20, 2025, changes have been made to the qualifications for the interview waiver program (IWP) for Non-Immigrant visa (NIV) applications.
Applicants who previously held a visa in the same category that expired less than 12 months before their new application may now qualify for an interview waiver. For instance, individuals with a B1B2 visa that expired eight months ago can apply for another B1B2 visa through the IWP. However, if a visa expired more than 12 months ago or if an applicant is seeking a different class of visa than previously held, they must attend an in-person interview.