Key Points
- The US State Department has restricted visa interview waiver eligibility without an official announcement.
- Effective immediately, only renewals in the same visa category qualify for an interview waiver.
- The previously issued visa must have expired within the last 12 months (reduced from 48 months).
- Visa Application Centers are turning away applicants who no longer meet the updated eligibility criteria.
- The restriction increases demand for in-person visa appointments, leading to potential travel disruptions.
Department of State Restricts Visa Interview Waiver Eligibility
This week, the Department of State (DOS) updated various consular websites with revised eligibility criteria for Visa Interview Waiver appointments (commonly called “dropbox”) without making an official announcement.
Effective Immediately: Applicants renewing a visa in the same category (same nonimmigrant classification) as their previously issued visa are eligible for an interview waiver, provided the visa expired within the last 12 months.
Reports from Visa Application Centers: Reports are circulating that Visa Application Centers are already turning away applicants who previously qualified under the relaxed criteria and do not meet the updated requirements.
Changes to the Interview Waiver Eligibility
To reduce backlogs in visa appointment availability throughout US Embassies and Consulates abroad following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of State relaxed interview waiver criteria to allow individuals in many circumstances to qualify for a waiver of the in-person nonimmigrant visa interview even if they were applying for a visa in a new category.
For example – someone who previously held an F-1 student visa could be eligible for an interview waiver when applying for an H-1B visa. Additionally, an interview waiver was available if the previously issued visa expired within the last 48 months.
This week’s update restricts interview waivers to individuals renewing a visa in the same category as their prior visa, which must not have expired more than 12 months ago.
What should applicants do if they are already scheduled to drop off documents based on the prior interview waiver standards?
Individuals should review whether they will qualify under the new standards:
- Are applicants renewing a visa in the same category (e.g., did their previous visa stamp get issued in the H-1B category, and are they applying for a new H-1B visa stamp), and
- Is their previously issued visa still valid, or if it expired, did it expire within the last 12 months?
Next Steps for Applicants Meeting Criteria
If applicants’ responses to both questions are yes, then they should still qualify for the interview waiver and be able to retain their current appointment at a Visa Application Center to drop off their documents.
Next Steps for Applicants Not Meeting Criteria
If applicants do not meet the updated criteria, they no longer qualify for the interview waiver and should NOT rely on previously confirmed eligibility. Instead, they should promptly cancel their interview waiver document drop-off appointment and schedule an in-person interview at the US Embassy or Consulate.
Instructions for Rescheduling in India and Other Countries
India has instructed individuals who no longer qualify under the new standards to cancel their Visa Application Center (VAC) appointment by selecting “Close/Start Application” within their profile and scheduling the required biometric and consular appointment. As long as applicants have not previously rescheduled, the visa fee should apply to the new appointment. Review their websites for appointments scheduled in other countries to determine if similar steps can be taken, as appointment scheduling portals vary by Consulate.
Travel Disruption
This change may disrupt previously planned international travel, as securing an in-person appointment during your previously planned dates may not be possible. Ensure you can secure an in-person appointment before departing the US and consider rescheduling travel depending on appointment availability.
Impact on Future Visa Appointment Scheduling
The restriction of the interview waiver program will increase demand for in-person visa appointments at US embassies and Consulates abroad. The increased demand will likely cause longer wait times for visa interview scheduling, especially in high-volume locations like India.
Applicants requiring visa stamping to re-enter the US must plan ahead.
Applicants should only book travel once they have confirmed they can schedule a visa stamping appointment.
Content in this publication is for informational purposes only and not intended as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. If you want guidance on how this information may impact your particular situation and are a client of the Corporate Immigration Partners, PC, consult your attorney. If you are not a CIP client, consult another qualified professional. This website does not create an attorney-client relationship with CIP.
