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U.S. Reinstates In-Person Visa Interviews for Most Applicants, Ending Broad Waivers

Expect longer waits, with waivers restricted to narrow diplomatic categories plus select B‑1/B‑2 renewals.

The U.S. Department of State is seen on May 2, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
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Those who currently possess an H-1B or F-1 student visa and whose previous visa ended less than 12 months prior to the current application will no longer be considered for the Interview Waiver advantage from September.
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Overview

  • Effective September 2, 2025, most nonimmigrant applicants must appear at a U.S. embassy or consulate for an interview, curtailing the pandemic-era “Dropbox” program and ending broad age-based exemptions for those under 14 and over 79.
  • H‑1B workers and F‑1 students are no longer eligible for interview waivers even if their prior visas expired within the past 12 months, and consular officers retain discretion to require interviews case by case after the February waiver expansion was withdrawn on July 25.
  • Limited exceptions remain for A‑1, A‑2 and C‑3 diplomatic/official visas and for certain full‑validity B‑1/B‑2 or Mexican Border Crossing Card renewals within 12 months, subject to filing in the applicant’s country of nationality or residence, no prior refusals and no apparent ineligibility.
  • Posts and visa services warn of longer queues, potential appointment changes or conversions to in‑person slots, stricter rescheduling rules allow only one free change, and large cohorts such as Indian students and H‑1B workers are expected to feel the brunt; some countries already face no exemptions, including Afghanistan and Nigeria.
  • A separate policy starting November 1, 2025 will require immigrant visa interviews in the applicant’s consular district of residence or country of nationality, with the National Visa Center assigning cases and designated alternate posts for countries without routine services.