Effective September 2, 2025, the Department of State will implement new guidelines for nonimmigrant visa interview waivers. Under these updated rules, most nonimmigrant visa applicants—including those under age 14 and over age 79—will be required to attend an in-person interview with a consular officer.
Exceptions to this requirement include applicants under specific visa categories such as A-1, A-2, C-3 (excluding attendants, servants, or personal employees of accredited officials), G-1 through G-4, NATO-1 through NATO-6, or TECRO E-1. Diplomatic and official-type visa applicants are also exempt from the in-person interview mandate.
Additionally, individuals renewing a full validity B-1, B-2, or B1/B2 visa within 12 months of their previous visa’s expiration may qualify for an interview waiver if they were at least 18 years old when their prior visa was issued. To be eligible for this waiver during renewal, applicants must apply in their country of nationality or residence, have no history of visa refusal unless it was overcome or waived, and have no apparent or potential ineligibility.
Consular officers retain the authority to require an in-person interview on a case-by-case basis for any reason. Applicants are encouraged to review detailed requirements and procedures on the U.S. Embassy’s website at https://tt.usembassy.gov/visas/.