State Department Cuts Visa Interview Waiver Period from 48 to 12 Months

In an announcement on February 18th, 2025, the United States Department of State updated the categories of applicants eligible for a waiver of the nonimmigrant visa interview.

This change limits the categories of applicants who can bypass the in-person interview process, which could lead to increased wait times for visa appointments.

Under the new policy, consular officers may waive in-person interviews for applicants in the following visa categories:

• A-1, A-2, C-3 (excluding attendants, servants, or personal employees of accredited officials)
• G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4
• NATO-1 through NATO-6, TECRO E-1
• Applicants for diplomatic or official-type visas
• Applicants renewing a visa in the same category provided it expired less than 12 months ago

Interview Waiver Requirements

To qualify, applicants must:

• Apply in their country of nationality or residence
• Have no prior visa refusals (unless successfully overcome or waived)
• Have no apparent or potential ineligibility

Impact on Visa Processing

Previously, applicants across most nonimmigrant visa categories could request an interview waiver if they had held any prior nonimmigrant visa (except B visas) and were applying within 48 months of expiration. The new policy tightens these guidelines, reducing the time to 12 months, and potentially increasing appointment backlogs for in-person interviews.

Adding to concerns, the DOS has discontinued its visa appointment wait times search tool, and global wait times have not been updated since early January.

What Visa Applicants Should Do

Given these changes, applicants should plan, renew their visas early, and prepare for the possibility of an in-person interview. Staying informed and proactive can help mitigate delays in visa processing.