DOS Announces Expansion of Consular Officer Authority to Waive Interview for Certain Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants

DOS announced that, beginning on 1/1/24, consular officers have the authority and discretion to waive the in-person interview for:

• First-time H-2 visa applicants (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.

DOS stated that implementation of this authority will be reviewed annually and is in place until further notice.

Applicants renewing a nonimmigrant visa in the same classification within 48 months of the prior visa’s expiration date continue to be eligible for an interview waiver until further notice.