US Visa Interview Waiver Policy Ends for Most Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants Starting September 2, 2025
The US visa interview waiver program is undergoing a major shift that will affect millions of travelers, workers, and students. The Department of State has officially announced that beginning September 2, 2025, most applicants who previously qualified for the drop-box process or age-based exemptions will now need to appear for an in-person visa interview with a U.S. consular officer. This change is expected to increase wait times for visa appointments and may cause delays in student visa USA applications, H-1B renewals, business visa requests, and Green Card related travel.
What Is Changing in the U.S. Visa Interview Waiver Program?
Until now, many applicants benefited from the US visa interview waiver, which allowed certain travelers—including children under 14, adults over 79, and applicants renewing visas in the same category—to skip the in-person interview. This streamlined process was widely used for popular categories such as H-1B visas, L-1 visas, F-1 student visas, O-1 visas, and B1/B2 tourist visas.
However, beginning September 2, 2025, the US visa interview waiver will be significantly restricted. Almost all applicants will now be required to attend a live interview, even if they are renewing a visa or have previously held a valid visa in the same category.
Limited Exceptions to the New Visa Interview Rules
While most applicants lose the option of the US visa interview waiver, a few categories will still qualify. Consular officers may still waive interviews for:
- Applicants under A-1, A-2, C-3, G-1 to G-4, NATO visas, and TECRO E-1 visas.
- Diplomatic or official visas.
- Certain B1/B2 renewals or Border Crossing Cards if renewed within 12 months of expiration, provided the applicant was 18 or older when the prior visa was issued, has never been refused a visa, and applies in their country of nationality or residence.
Even in these cases, the consular officer may still require an interview at their discretion.
Countries With Immediate Visa Interview Requirements
For nationals of certain countries, the U.S. visa interview waiver has already been eliminated, effective immediately. Applicants from nations such as Afghanistan, Nigeria, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Sudan (among others) must now attend in-person interviews without exception.
| Country Groups Affected Immediately | Visa Interview Waiver Status |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, Sudan, Syria, and 40+ others | No longer eligible for U.S. visa interview waiver; in-person interviews required for all nonimmigrant visa categories |
Applicants from these countries must appear in person, regardless of whether they are first-time applicants or renewing prior visas.
Impact on Wait Times and Visa Processing
With the rollback of the US visa interview waiver, visa applicants should prepare for significantly longer wait times at U.S. consulates worldwide. The Global Visa Wait Times website already shows wide differences by city and visa type, and this policy change will only add pressure on high-demand posts such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Manila, and Mexico City. Students applying for an F-1 visa USA, professionals on H-1B visas, and families seeking B1/B2 tourist visa renewals should schedule appointments as early as possible.
New Rescheduling Rules for Visa Appointments
Adding to the pressure, the State Department will enforce strict rescheduling rules starting January 1, 2025. Every applicant is allowed only one free reschedule. If you miss your appointment or need to reschedule a second time, you must repay the visa fee to book again. This means careful planning is more important than ever when preparing for your US visa interview waiver appointment.
Wha This Means for Travelers, Students, and Workers
The end of the US visa interview waiver will impact nearly every type of traveler to the United States.
| Visa Type | Impact After September 2, 2025 |
|---|---|
| H-1B Work Visa | In-person interview required, even for renewals |
| L-1 Intracompany Transfer | No interview waiver, longer wait times |
| F-1 Student Visa | Mandatory interview, longer processing times expected |
| B1/B2 Tourist Visa | Limited waiver for certain renewals, most need in-person interview |
| Green Card Travelers with Temporary Visas | In-person interview for nonimmigrant visas unless exempt |
Students planning to start studies in the fall of 2025, professionals awaiting H-1B stamping, and tourists renewing B1/B2 visas should all budget extra time for processing.
The US visa interview waiver is no longer a standard option for most applicants. Travelers must now expect to appear in person at U.S. consulates, and those from high-risk countries already face immediate enforcement of these rules. Given the increased demand, it is essential for applicants to plan ahead, prepare documents correctly, and monitor wait times closely.
Immigration attorneys recommend applying as early as possible to avoid disruptions to work, study, or travel schedules. This is especially true for students applying for F-1 visas USA, professionals seeking H-1B renewals, and families traveling on B1/B2 visas.
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