US Consulates Extend Waivers of In-Person Interview Requirements

The State Department has extended the option for US Consulates to waive the in-person interview requirement for certain visa applicants through the end of 2023.  Qualifying visa applicants can still apply for their visas by mail instead of appearing in-person for an interview at the US Consulate. 

Applicants for the following visa categories could qualify for a waiver of the in-person interview:

  • F and M (international students)

  • H-1 (high-skilled workers)

  • H-3 (trainees);

  • H-4 (accompanying dependents of principal workers in H category);

  • J (international scholars or exchange program participants)

  • L (intra-company transferees);

  • O (individuals of extraordinary ability);

  • P (athletes and artists); 

  • Q (cultural exchange).

  • Visa renewals of visas issued in the last 48 months.

The applicant also must meet the following criteria in order to have the in-person visa interview requirement waived:

  • They must be applying for a visa at the US Consulate in their country of nationality or residence.

  • They must have previously been issued any type of visa, OR, have previously traveled to the United States on an ESTA. 

  • They have never been refused a visa, unless such refusal was overcome or waived.

  • They are not otherwise inadmissible to the United States.

Please note that a visa applicant cannot mail in their visa application from the United States.  The applicant must be in the country of the US Consulate at which they are applying for their visa in order to mail in their visa application.   

In some countries, like India, the mail in option has become more backlogged than appearing in person, so some visa applicants may prefer to appear for an interview to get their visa faster.  Between October 1, 2021 to October 1, 2022, nearly half of the almost seven million nonimmigrant visas issued by the Department of State were adjudicated without an in-person interview.  

Applicants for immigrant visas still will need to appear in person for a visa interview. 

Because each Consulate in the world is different, visa applicants should visit their local Consulate’s website or contact them for more information regarding their specific requirements for waiving the in-person interview and their process for applications by mail. 

This alert is for informational purposes only.  Please contact us if you would like to discuss this development further. 

Nadia Yakoob