The U.S. Embassy in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean has announced that the Interview Waiver (IW) process for certain petition-based nonimmigrant visas will remain available until September 2, 2025. The IW process allows eligible applicants for H, non-blanket L, O, P, and Q visas to submit their applications via courier without attending an in-person interview.
Applicants must meet several criteria to qualify. They must be citizens, residents, and passport holders of specific countries within the embassy’s consular district—such as Anguilla, Barbados, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, among others—or be citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries like France, the United Kingdom, or the Netherlands who reside in the consular district and have previously traveled to the United States under ESTA without a denial.
Additional requirements include not having any prior visa refusals unless a visa was subsequently issued or not having been denied ESTA authorization. Applicants must also have no record of arrest or criminal conviction. 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 apply from outside the United States.
To begin the application process, individuals should complete a DS-160 form online at https://ceac.state.gov/GenNIV/Default.aspx and answer prompts at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-bb/niv. If applicants believe they qualify but are prompted to schedule an interview, they are advised to email BridgetownNIv@state.gov for assistance.
Required documentation includes a current valid passport from within the consular district (valid for at least six months beyond intended U.S. stay), a passport containing the most recent U.S. visa (if applicable), Form I-797 Notice of Action or I-129 petition approval notice, DS-160 confirmation page, and one recent color photograph meeting Department of State guidelines. VWP country applicants must provide evidence of prior ESTA approval or proof of entry into the United States.
The embassy advises all applicants: “We always recommend that individuals apply for visas well in advance of their proposed date of travel. 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, H, non-blanket L, O, P and Q visa categories will no longer be eligible for waiver of interviews.