The U.S. Embassy in Barbados has announced that certain applicants for F, M, and academic J visas may be eligible to apply without an in-person interview until September 2, 2025. This process allows qualifying students to submit their visa applications via courier rather than attending an interview at the embassy.
To qualify for the Interview Waiver (IW) process, applicants must meet several criteria. They must be citizens, residents, and passport holders of specified countries such as Anguilla, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, Grenada, Martinique, Monserrate, St. Barthelemy, French St. Martin, or Saint Vincent and the Grenadines who were previously issued an F, M or J visa by the embassy from age 14 years or older. Additionally, applicants should not have been refused a visa unless they were subsequently issued one.
Alternatively, citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries—France, United Kingdom or the Netherlands—who reside within the consular district and have previously traveled to the United States on ESTA are also eligible if they have never been denied ESTA and have no criminal record.
The embassy notes: "Please note that we may request that an applicant appear for an interview regardless of apparent qualifications for the IW process." Applicants must also be outside the United States when applying for this waiver.
The application process requires completion of a DS-160 form at https://ceac.state.gov/GenNIV/Default.aspx and following prompts at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-bb/niv. If prompted to schedule an interview despite meeting waiver criteria, applicants are advised to email BridgetownNIv@state.gov for assistance.
Required documents include current and previous passports with visas; DS-160 confirmation page; I-20 form for F and M students; DS-2019 form for J1 applicants; I-901 SEVIS payment receipt; proof of funds covering first-year expenses; two recent color photos meeting Department of State guidelines found at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html; and for VWP country applications—a copy of prior ESTA approval or related travel documentation.
Applicants are encouraged to apply well ahead of planned travel dates as visa issuance cannot be guaranteed in advance. The embassy advises: "No assurances regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance. Therefore, final travel plans or the purchase of non-refundable tickets should not be made until a visa has been issued."
After September 2, 2025, F, M and academic J visas will no longer be eligible for a waiver of the nonimmigrant visa interview.