Breaking Down the State Department’s New Visa Interview Waiver Limits

For several years the process of obtaining the American visa has become a real challenge for Mexicans, however, recently the United States Department of State (USA), announced an expansion in the list of people who can exempt the consular interview. And it is that despite the migration policies that became more stringent with Donald Trump's return to the presidency, the US authorities pointed out that there is a list of people who can exempt the…

US Visa Exemption: No interview required for these visa categories of America – Know all Details

WASHINGTON: The US State Department has announced new rules that exempt some applicants from visa interviews. However, the eligibility period for most renewals has been reduced from 48 months to 12 months. This sudden change has raised concerns for frequent travelers and professionals who previously relied on the long dropbox window. The official update said, “The Department of State has updated the categories of applicants who may be eligible f…

State Department Provides Update on Visa Interview Waiver Eligibility

On February 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of State issued updated guidance regarding which applicants for U.S. visas may qualify for a waiver of the in-person interview requirement. This update supersedes previous guidance issued in December 2023. The update lists particular visa types that are eligible for waiver of the in-person interview, including A, G, NATO and TECRO visas. Relevant to international students and scholars, “applicants who pr…

Breaking Down the State Department’s New Visa Interview Waiver Limits

Effective February 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) made changes to the visa interview waiver program, leaving applicants and employers scrambling to navigate the new requirements. These restrictions—implemented with no transition period—carry implications for anyone seeking employment-based visa stamps abroad. In the long run, wait times for visa appointments are likely to surge, especially in countries already experiencing signific…