NIV Interview Waiver Updates Effective January 1, 2024

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) introduced and expanded the flexibility of consular posts to waive the in-person interview for certain nonimmigrant visa applicants. The criteria have been periodically altered, so we encourage you to review the most recently announced eligibility criteria below.

Effective January 1, 2024, you may qualify for an interview waiver for an initial nonimmigrant visa application if:

  • You are applying at the consular post in your country of nationality or usual residence;
  • You were not previously refused a visa in any classification unless the refusal was overcome or ground for inadmissibility was waived; and
  • You fit in one these categories:
    • Applicant for H-2 visa (temporary agricultural and non- agricultural workers); and
    • Other nonimmigrant visa applicants applying for any nonimmigrant visa classification who:
      • Were previously issued a nonimmigrant visa in any classification, unless the only prior issued visa was a B visa; and
      • Are applying within 48 months of their most recent nonimmigrant visa’s expiration date.

These flexibilities are in effect until further notice and DOS will review this authority annually.

Additionally, until further notice, you may also qualify for an interview waiver for a nonimmigrant visa renewal application if:

  • You are applying at the consular post in your country of nationality or usual residence;
  • You have a previously issued U.S. visa in the same classification as the visa for which you are applying and your prior visa is still valid or has expired within the last 48 months;
  • Your prior visa is not annotated “Clearance Received” or “Department Authorization”;
  • Your most recent visa in the same classification for which you are applying was issued on or after your 14th birthday (NOTE: for children under 14 years of age, interviews are rarely required);
  • Your most recent visa in the same classification for which you are applying was not lost/stolen or canceled; and
  • You were not previously refused a visa in any classification (with some exceptions).

If you believe that you are eligible for an interview waiver, you should visit the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate (or the appointment scheduling/visa services website) where you wish to apply for a visa. After submitting your DS-160 and navigating through the visa application online, the system will inform you whether the interview requirement has been waived and, if it has, the consular post will typically instruct you to schedule an appointment or mail in the following: DS-160 confirmation page, valid passport, pre-paid courier label/package for document return, fee payment receipt, passport-style photographs, and (if applicable) the petition approval notice (such as a Form I-797 approval notice).

Please be advised that procedures will vary between consular posts, and each consulate has discretion to require that any visa applicant attend an interview on a case-by-case basis, even if you meet all of the waiver criteria.