UNITED STATES – Stricter eligibility rules for interview waiver.

February 25, 2025

By: Elizabeth Kumbhari, Managing Partner, Go Global Immigration, PLLC

On February 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced changes to its interview waiver policies, rolling back many of the expansions introduced during COVID-19. Previously, nonimmigrant visa applicants were eligible for dropbox processing and could receive an interview waiver if they held an approved nonimmigrant visa in any category that had expired within the last 48 months.

Under the revised guidelines, applicants qualify for an interview waiver only if they previously held a visa in the same category and their prior visa either:

• Expired within the last 12 months, or
• Is still valid.

Additionally, nonimmigrant visa applicants in certain categories may be eligible to renew their visas without an interview if they:

• Apply in their country of nationality or residence,
• Have never been refused a visa (unless the refusal was overcome or waived),
• Have no apparent or potential ineligibility.

Applicants who do not meet these stricter criteria must attend an in-person interview at a U.S. consulate.

For full details, visit the visa news section of the Department of State’s website. Please reach out to your Newland Chase dedicated contact or submit an inquiry should you have any specific questions regarding this announcement.

This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Chase for any case- or company-specific assessments.