Interviews Mandatory Again for Many Applicants for U.S. Non-Immigrant Visas

As of September 2, 2025, most non-immigrant visa applicants, including children under 14 and adults over 79, will be required to attend an in-person visa interview. This change reverses earlier policies introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, which had allowed broader interview waivers in certain cases.

The Department is ending the discretionary authority previously granted to consular officers, which had permitted them to waive interviews for a wide range of applicants, including:

• First-time visa applicants in certain categories (e.g., F, H, J, L, O, P)
• Visa renewals up to 48 months after expiration
• Age-based waivers (for applicants under 14 or over 79)

These changes reflect a return to in-person adjudication as the standard for most visa categories.

Once the new rules take effect, only a limited group of applicants will remain eligible for an interview waiver. These include:

• Diplomatic and official visa applicants
  Eligible visa categories include: A-1, A-2, C-3 (excluding attendants, servants, or personal employees of officials), G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1 through NATO-6, and TECRO E-1.
• Certain visa renewals
  Applicants renewing a B-1/B-2 visa, Border Crossing Card, or F visa (for Mexican nationals only) may qualify for a waiver if they meet strict criteria. For a detailed assessment of your eligibility, speak to the U.S. team at WINHELLER.
• Consular discretion remains limited
  Even in the above cases, consular officers retain discretion and may still require an in-person interview depending on the specifics of each application or local conditions.

According to the State Department, the broader interview waivers were introduced as a temporary measure during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce health risks and accommodate staffing shortages. With those conditions largely resolved, the Department is returning to traditional practices to ensure thorough vetting through in-person interviews.
 

The Interview Waiver Update of July 25, 2025, marks a major shift in the global processing of U.S. non-immigrant visas. The new policy is intended to increase consistency and security but will require more time, preparation, and travel for most applicants — including those who previously qualified for streamlined renewals.