The U.S. Department of State has announced major updates to the nonimmigrant visa process, with new rules set to take effect on September 2, 2025. Under the revised policy, nearly all applicants—including children under fourteen and adults over seventy-nine—will now need to appear in person for an interview with a U.S. consular officer. Only a narrow set of applicants will remain eligible for interview waivers.
Key Highlights
- Starting September 2, 2025, most nonimmigrant visa applicants will no longer qualify for interview waivers.
- Certain nationalities face these changes immediately, without exception.
- Processing delays and longer wait times are expected worldwide.
Who Still Qualifies for an Interview Waiver?
Although the waiver program is largely being phased out, it will remain available for a few categories, subject to the consular officer’s discretion:
- Holders of A-1, A-2, C-3 (excluding staff or personal employees), G-1 to G-4, NATO-1 to NATO-6, or TECRO E-1 visas.
- Applicants seeking diplomatic or official visas.
- Renewals of a full-validity B-1, B-2, or B1/B2 visa, or a Border Crossing Card/Foil (Mexican nationals), if:
- Renewal is within 12 months of expiration of the prior visa.
- Applicant was 18 years or older when the prior visa was issued.
- Application is made in the home country of nationality or residence.
- The applicant has never been refused a visa (unless refusal was waived/overcome).
- No apparent or potential ineligibility exists.
Previously, embassies and consulates allowed “drop box” processing for applicants who already held a U.S. visa in the same category (e.g., H-1B, L-1, F-1, O-1). Age-based exemptions for minors under 14 and adults over 79 also applied. These will no longer be available after September 2, 2025.
Immediate Enforcement for Specific Countries
For nationals of certain countries, the new rules apply immediately—meaning every applicant must appear in person for an interview, regardless of category. These include citizens of:
Afghanistan, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burma (Myanmar), Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Applicants from these nations who require diplomatic or official visas must continue scheduling through official diplomatic channels.
Visa Appointment Wait Times
As the new rules roll out, applicants should be prepared for longer processing times. Wait times vary greatly depending on consular post and visa type, and can be checked on the State Department’s Global Visa Wait Times portal.
Important Reminders
- Applicants must bring the original DS-160 confirmation page used for scheduling the appointment.
- If a correction requires a new DS-160, both the original and updated confirmation pages must be presented. Otherwise, the appointment must be rebooked under the new DS-160 number.
- From January 1, 2025, new rescheduling policies apply:
- One free reschedule is allowed.
- Missing an appointment or rescheduling more than once requires repayment of the visa fee.
What This Means for Travelers
The upcoming changes will significantly impact students, professionals, and temporary workers who rely on timely visa approvals. Applicants are advised to plan travel, academic enrollment, and employment start dates well in advance, as interview availability and processing times are expected to tighten globally.
