State Department to Resume Mandatory Interviews for Most Visa Extensions
The U.S. State Department is ending the interview waiver policy put in place during the pandemic. On Sept. 2, 2025, most nonimmigrant visa applicants will again be required to appear in person for an interview with a consular officer. Details are explained by Boundless.
Photo: IStock
The change also applies to those renewing H, L, F, M, J, and O-1 visas. Under the new policy, all U.S. nonimmigrant visa applicants, including children under 14 and adults over 79, will generally be required to attend an interview with a consular officer. There are very few exceptions.
Who can claim a waiver of an interview?
Waiver of a personal interview will only be possible for a limited number of applicants:
• Diplomats and employees of international organizations: applicants for A-1, A-2, C-3 (except accompanying or personal employees), G-1 - G-4 and NATO-1 - NATO-6 visas.
• Applicants for diplomatic or service visas.
• Certain extension applicants: Individuals renewing a valid B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visa, or Mexican Border Card within 12 months of expiration may still qualify for an interview waiver if they:
- submitted an application in their country of citizenship or residence;
— were over 18 years of age at the time of issue of the previous visa;
- have never been refused a visa (unless the refusal was cancelled or withdrawn);
- do not have obvious or potential grounds for visa refusal.
On the subject: Some tourists will have to pay a $15 deposit to enter the US
Even if an applicant meets the requirements for an interview waiver, the consular officer may request an in-person interview.
What does this mean for applicants and employers?
The new policy eliminates interview waivers and the widely used “Dropbox” procedure for extensions of virtually all nonimmigrant visa categories, including:
• H visas (temporary workers)
• L visas (intra-company transfer)
• F and M visas (students and professional trainees)
• J visas (exchange visitors, including scientists, researchers, and caregivers)
This change will affect both individual applicants and employers in the United States. For applicants, the end of the Dropbox program for most visa categories means that they will need to schedule and appear in person at a U.S. embassy or consulate, even for routine extensions. This will likely result in longer wait times, additional travel costs, and longer visa processing times. Children under 14 and adults over 79 are no longer generally exempt and will also be required to appear in person unless they fall under one of the limited exceptions.
Employers will feel the impact, too. International employees renewing H, L, F, M, or J visas may face delays in returning to the U.S. if they have to wait in line for an interview in their home country. This will disrupt staffing plans, onboarding schedules, and international travel. Companies should prepare for additional administrative burdens, from helping employees find available dates to adjusting internal schedules for visa extensions and international travel.
Programs that rely on students or exchange participants, such as internships, research projects or caregiving, will also face disruptions.
What to do now
If you plan to apply for a nonimmigrant visa:
• Check if you have the right to refuse an interview under the updated rules.
• Apply by September 2 if you fall under the current waiver conditions.
• Check embassy and consulate websites: procedures, appointment availability and local recommendations may vary.
You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York
For employers:
• Review international travel plans and visa extensions: Identify employees who need to renew visas abroad and assess whether travel plans need to be adjusted.
• Communicate with employees in advance: Let them know that the interview waiver is lifted and encourage them to check for interview dates in advance.
• Update onboarding and travel schedules: allow for time to accommodate visa extensions and possible interview delays, especially for H, L, F, M and J category employees.
• Contact legal advisors or immigration partners. Ensure that your HR and legal teams are aware of the new requirements and are prepared to support employees through the visa extension process.
Read also on ForumDaily:
USCIS Changes Formula for Calculating Age of Children for Family-Based Green Cards
How the US visa deposit will work and who will have to pay it: details of the innovation
Subscribe to ForumDaily on Google NewsDo you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.
Editor's Choice
