In-Person Interview Waiver for Immigration Visa

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted people around the globe due to travel restrictions, border closures, and limited capacity and hours for consular offices. The Department of State made a decision that greased the wheels of the visa application process, which has provided some degree of relief for hopeful applicants around the world: the In-Person Interview Waiver.

The In-Person Visa Interview Waiver

The DOS concluded that requiring the recipient of a previously-approved, but expired, immigrant visa to attend a second in-person interview would significantly strain consular resources. The rule temporarily authorized consular officers to waive the requirement that an immigrant visa applicant appear in person for an interview if they had previously been approved for an immigrant visa in the same classification on or after August 4, 2019, and if their visa had expired within the last 48 months.

Qualification Requirements

To qualify for the discretionary in-person interview waiver, you must:

• Have been issued a U.S. immigrant visa on or after August 4, 2019
• Not have traveled to the U.S. on the immigrant visa
• Seek an immigrant visa in the same classification and pursuant to the same approved petition as the previously-issued, expired visa
• Qualify for an immigrant visa in the same classification
• Have no changed circumstances that could affect your eligibility for the visa

Extended Waiver for Nonimmigrant Visa Categories

The waiver for in-person interviews was extended for certain nonimmigrant visas, covering select first-time and renewing visa types, including:

• H-2, Temporary Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Workers
• F and M Students
• J, Academic Exchange Visitors
• H-1B, Persons in Specialty Occupations
• L, Intracompany Transferees
• O, Individuals with Extraordinary Ability
• P, Athletes, Artists, and Entertainers

Get Help With Your Application

As immigration law continues to adjust to governmental policy changes, it can be a challenge to know and understand all of the latest developments and how they affect your immigration status. That's why it's important to work with an immigration attorney who can show you what to do to be in compliance so that your visa application can move forward without unnecessary delays.