NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Washington, D.C., Sept. 3, 2025 — Starting September 2, the United States tightened its visa rules, ending most interview waivers and requiring in-person interviews for the majority of non-immigrant visa applicants.
The change means that applicants who previously qualified for drop-box or interview waiver facilities—including children under 14, seniors over 79, and those renewing visas within a certain window—are no longer exempt. Popular visa categories such as H-1B, L-1, F-1, J-1, O-1, and B-1/B-2 now require personal appearances before a consular officer.
Only a narrow group of applicants, such as diplomats, government officials, NATO personnel, and certain individuals renewing a B-1/B-2 visa within 12 months of expiration, continue to be eligible for interview waivers under strict conditions.
The U.S. Department of State said the policy shift was intended to restore pre-pandemic vetting procedures, strengthen security checks, and reduce fraud risks. However, the move was expected to significantly increase visa appointment wait times worldwide, especially at U.S. consulates in India, where demand for student and work visas remained high.
In addition, new rules limiting rescheduling of visa interviews had already come into effect earlier this year. Applicants are now allowed only one free reschedule, with further changes requiring the payment of a fresh visa application fee.
