Effective September 2, 2025, the US Department of State is to radically scale back its interview waiver program for nonimmigrant visas.
Elimination of Nonimmigrant Visa Interview Waivers
Pandemic‑era regulations had allowed many applicants to renew visas without appearing before a consular officer, but the Department said the program will now be limited to a narrow set of exceptions.
Under the new rules, most non‑immigrant visa applicants, regardless of age or prior visa history, must attend an in‑person consular interview. Even children under 14 and adults over 79, who were previously exempt, will now require interviews.
The policy applies to first‑time applicants and to people renewing visas; consular officers will also retain discretion to require interviews even when a waiver might otherwise apply.
Who is still eligible for waivers?
According to the State Department’s announcement (which is mirrored by multiple immigration law firms), only a few categories of applicants remain eligible for an interview waiver. These include applicants classifiable under diplomatic or official visa categories (A‑1/A‑2, C‑3 for accredited officials, G‑1 through G‑4, NATO‑1 through NATO‑6 and TECRO E‑1).
A waiver may also be available to renew applicants for full‑validity B‑1/B‑2 visas (tourist/business) or Mexican border‑crossing cards. To qualify, the prior visa must still be valid or have expired within 12 months of the application; the applicant must have been at least 18 years old when the previous visa was issued; the renewal must be in the same classification; the application must be filed in the applicant’s country of nationality or residence; and the applicant must never have been refused a visa (unless the refusal was overcome) and have no apparent ineligibility.
These rules apply only where consulates have the capacity and opt-in to exercise the waiver authority; not all consulates may continue to offer waivers even when technically allowed.
Consular officers nevertheless have authority to require interviews at their discretion.
Categories losing waiver eligibility
The new policy will eliminate interview waivers for almost all other non‑immigrant visa classifications, including work‑, study‑ and exchange‑related categories. Applicants for H‑1B and H‑4 (specialty workers and dependents), L‑1/L‑2 (intra‑company transferees), O‑1 (extraordinary ability), TN (professionals under the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement, or USMCA), E‑1/E‑2 treaty traders/investors, F‑1 students and J‑1 exchange visitors will all require in‑person interviews.
Even renewal applicants who previously benefitted from the so‑called “Dropbox” programme must attend interviews.
The February 2025 update had already reduced eligibility to renewals within 12 months and eliminated waivers for first‑time applicants; the July 2025 announcement goes further by ending waivers for most categories and broadening the age range subject to interviews.
Expected impact on travelers and employers
Law firms warn that the policy will cause longer appointment wait times and more processing delays, particularly at high‑volume consulates in countries such as India, China, Mexico and Canada.
Applicants who previously benefitted from the so‑called “Dropbox” programme (the Interview Waiver Program, where eligible applicants could submit documents without an interview) will now have to schedule interviews and travel to a consulate, adding time and expense. The requirement that waiver‑eligible B‑visa applicants apply in their home country will reduce flexibility for business travelers and eliminate “consular shopping”.
For individuals already in the United States on nonimmigrant status but with expired visas, the new policy poses a significant risk if they travel abroad, because they will no longer qualify for dropbox renewal and may face backlogs or delays when re‑entering.
Immigration attorneys therefore advise travelers and employers to plan well ahead, submit DS‑160 forms and supporting documentation early, monitor consulate websites for appointment availability and consider postponing non‑essential travel.
Companies relying on foreign talent should also adjust recruitment and project timelines to account for longer visa processing. The increased requirement for interviews will raise costs because employees may need to travel to consulates, and families with children or elderly relatives must account for additional travel.
More generally, the rollback signals a return to pre‑pandemic vetting standards and marks the end of one of the most applicant‑friendly visa reforms in recent years
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This latest rollback of pandemic-era flexibility also aligns with more rigorous vetting, reminiscent of the Trump administration’s earlier policies.
Even under categories that will continue to qualify for waivers, those applicants must meet strict criteria such as renewing within 12 months and applying in their country of residence.
For specialist guidance on your circumstances, contact us.
Author
Founder & Principal Attorney Nita Nicole Upadhye is a recognized leader in the field of US business immigration law, (The Legal 500, Chambers & Partners, Who's Who Legal and AILA) and an experienced and trusted advisor to large multinational corporates through to SMEs. She provides strategic immigration advice and specialist application support to corporations and professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, artists, actors and athletes from across the globe to meet their US-bound talent mobility needs.
Nita is an active public speaker, thought leader, immigration commentator, and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals.