Our Bureau
New Delhi
Starting September 2, 2025, the US Department of State will enforce stricter rules requiring nearly all non-immigrant visa applicants to attend in-person interviews, significantly rolling back the interview waiver program introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. This change affects tourists, business visitors, students (F and M visas), workers (such as H-1B visas), and exchange visitors (J visas), with very limited exemptions.
Under the new guidelines, applicants below 14 years and above 79 years of age, who were earlier often exempted, must appear for consular interviews. The only categories still eligible for waivers include diplomatic visas (A-1, A-2, certain C-3, G-1 to G-4, and NATO visas), and a narrow renewal window for full-validity B-1, B-2, or B1/B2 visas. Specifically, renewals qualify for a waiver only if applied within 12 months of the previous visa’s expiration (down from the earlier 48-month window), the applicant was at least 18 at the time of issuance, applies from their country of nationality or residence, and has no prior visa refusals or ineligibilities.
Despite these criteria, consular officers retain discretionary power to require interviews on a case-by-case basis even when waivers appear applicable, overriding earlier February 2025 guidelines. Immigration attorney Steven Brown criticized the move, noting it will increase appointment wait times and reduce renewal efficiency, calling mandatory interviews for children “patently absurd”.
The policy tightening comes amid broader US immigration reforms, including a new $250 Visa Integrity Fee set for 2026, aimed at enhancing visa security. Travelers should consult US embassy or consulate websites for the latest application procedures and updates, as the requirement for interviews could slow visa processing and complicate travel plans, especially for Indian nationals and others seeking short-term visas.
