Department of State Limits Interview Waivers for Most Visa Applicants

On July 25, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced a significant rollback of its visa interview waiver policy, which will take effect on September 2, 2025. The new guidance sharply limits eligibility and will require in-person interviews for the vast majority of visa applicants, even those renewing a visa or applying in the same category. Affected visa categories include E-1, E-2, F-1, H-1B, J-1, L-1, and O-1. Notably, the revised policy also ends interview waivers for applicants under age 14 or over age 79, who were previously exempt in most cases.

Applicants should be prepared for increased wait times, as these changes are expected to lead to longer visa appointment backlogs and delays at many U.S. embassies and consulates. Applicants are strongly encouraged to check the website of the specific U.S. embassy or consulate where they intend to apply for up-to-date procedures and requirements.

For more information, please visit: Interview Waiver Update July 25, 2025

For more details, refer to the Department of State’s Interview Waiver Update issued on July 25, 2025. If you have any questions about how this policy change may affect your visa application, please feel free to contact the Law Office of Adrienne J. Vaughan LLC by email at contact@ajvimmigrationlaw.com or by phone at (617) 840-8515.