What’s Happening?
The State Department recently announced that beginning September 2, 2025, most nonimmigrant visa applicants will no longer qualify for interview waivers at U.S. consular posts abroad. The State Department has announced that the already-narrowed program will shrink even further, effectively requiring in-person interviews for the vast majority of visa categories, including for dependent children under the age of 14.
This new policy is a continuation of the Department’s efforts to restrict interview waivers, which have served as a critical tool in managing consular workloads, avoiding extreme backlogs in appointment availability, and allowing consular staff to more efficiently direct resources to vetting high risk applicants.
Earlier this year, in February 2025, the Department curtailed the COVID-era expansion of the program, which had allowed interview waivers for applicants whose prior visa in the same classification had expired within 48 months—and, in some cases, even for first-time applicants. The February revision restricted eligibility to those renewing a visa in the same category that was still valid or had expired within the last 12 months. The September changes will restrict the visa waiver program further.
Who will still qualify for the Visa Waiver Program?
As of September 2, visa waiver eligibility will be limited to:
Certain B-1/B-2 (visitor) visa renewals where the prior visa is still valid or expired within the past 12 months, provided the applicant was at least 18 years old when the previous visa was issued; and
Most diplomatic or official visa applicants, such as those applying for A, G, or NATO visas.
Applicants must also meet longstanding requirements: applying in their country of nationality or residence, having no prior visa refusals (unless overcome), and having no apparent or potential ineligibility.
Who will lose eligibility?
Beginning on September 2, all other nonimmigrant visa applicants - including those applying for H-1B, L-1, O-1, and F-1 visas - will now be required to attend an in-person interview.
The program will also remove the long-standing exemption for children under 14 and adults over 79. Starting in September, children under 14 and adults over 79 must also appear in person at a consulate for a visa interview.
What does this mean for applicants?
For most foreign nationals, this change will require careful advance planning. In-person interview availability varies widely by consular post and visa category, and with far fewer people qualifying for waivers, demand for visa appointments and the associated wait times are likely to increase. Those accustomed to qualifying for waivers under prior programs - especially H-1B and L-1 holders, or parents applying for children’s visas - should anticipate needing to secure a consular interview slot and build that timeline into their travel plans. Therefore, applicants planning visa renewals this fall and beyond should prepare for this shift now, particularly if travel plans depend on timely visa issuance.
Key takeaways:
The interview waiver program will now be largely limited to certain B visa renewals and diplomatic visas.
Children under 14 and adults over 79 will no longer be automatically exempt from interviews.
Most work visa categories—including H, L, and O—will require in-person interviews going forward.
Applicants should secure interviews as soon as possible given anticipated longer wait times due to increased demand.
D&S is continuing to monitor visa appointment availability in light of this new change and will provide updates as they become available.