07/31/2025
Starting September 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of State will significantly tighten its rules on who can skip the visa interview process.
📌 Most visa applicants, including children under 14 and adults over 79, will now be required to attend an in-person interview with a consular officer, even if they are just renewing their visas.
📌 This change ends interview waivers for nearly all nonimmigrant visa categories, including:
✅ F-1 student visas
✅ H-1B work visas
✅ J-1 exchange visas
…and many more.
📌 Only a few groups may still qualify to skip the interview, such as certain B1/B2 tourist visa renewals, but only if they meet strict requirements. These include applying within 12 months of visa expiration and having no prior visa refusals or ineligibilities.
🔁 Due to this change, applicants should expect longer wait times and processing backlogs at U.S. embassies and consulates.
📩 If you need help or guidance with any U.S. immigration matters, especially with these major changes, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always ready to assist you.
