Effective September 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) will end most in-person interview exemptions for nonimmigrant visa applications.
This measure marks a return to mandatory interviews by default, including for renewal applications.
Applicants for E-1, E-2, F-1, H-1B, J-1, L-1, and O-1 visas, among others, are now required to attend an interview.
The exemption for renewals or applicants who already hold a visa is eliminated.
Applicants under the age of 14 or over the age of 79 will now also be required to attend an in-person interview, whereas they could previously receive an exemption.
The following individuals remain eligible for an interview waiver:
- B-1, B-2, and B1/B2 visas (renewals only), subject to strict conditions (including: application filed in the country of residence, within 12 months of the expiration of the previous visa, and with no history of visa refusals).
☞ As of September 2, 2025, one should therefore expect increased processing and waiting times for consular appointments in many countries.