Starting September, the United States is making changes to its visa interview waiver policy, and it’s important for travelers and visa applicants to be aware. If applicant is applying for a B-1 (business), B-2 (tourism), or a combined B1/B2 visa, applicant may still be allowed to skip the in-person interview.
Previously, the interview waiver was more flexible, especially for people renewing their visas or moving between similar categories. But with the new update, that window is narrowing.
Back in the last update on February 18, 2025, the U.S. had made things a bit easier where if an applicant’s visa in the same category had expired within the past 12 months, applicant could skip the interview. But that flexibility has now been rolled back. As of the latest update on July 25, 2025, that group is no longer eligible for the interview waiver.
This change also affects other popular visa categories. Take H-1B workers and F-1 students, for instance as many of them were able to skip the interview step in the past. But starting this September, that flexibility is most likely to go away. Most applicants in these categories will now be required to appear in person at a U.S. embassy or consulate, which could lead to longer processing times and the added hassle of planning travel for the interview.
Immigration attorney Johnson L. Myalil of High-Tech Immigration Law Group, PLLC suggests those planning to apply for visa renewal should immediately check if any visa appointments are available prior to Sep 2. In-person interviews will be required for most visa categories, including E-1, E-2, F-1, H-1B, J-1, L-1, O-1 and several others.
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Typically, getting a U.S. visa involves an in-person interview, but there are exceptions. These mostly include people applying for official or diplomatic visas like A, G, NATO, or TECRO E-1 types. If the applicant is in one of these categories, applicant is likely to be exempt from the in-person interview requirement.
The whole process starts with filling out the DS-160 form online. Once that’s done, the system checks if the applicant qualifies for the waiver. If they do, they will get instructions on how to submit their documents without needing to book an interview. That said, consular officers still have the final say. Even if an applicant meets all the criteria, they can ask to come in for an interview if they feel it’s necessary.
The interview waiver will no longer be available, even for repeat applicants or renewals. Applicants under age 14 or over 79 will also be required to interview in-person.
These interview waiver rules shift based on U.S. policy updates. In-person interviews continue to be a crucial step because they allow consular officers to get a clearer picture of each applicant, beyond just forms and documents. With the next set of changes rolling out on September 2, 2025, it’s worth keeping an eye on who still qualifies for a waiver and who doesn’t.