Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements

DOS Extends Interview Waivers for Certain Nonimmigrants

12/27/22 AILA Doc. No. 20082503. Consular Processing

December 23, 2022

DOS extended its policy to waive in-person consular interviews for certain nonimmigrant applicants (F, H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4, J, L, M, O, P, and Q) through December 31, 2023.

 


 

December 23, 2021

DOS extended the waiver for in-person consular interviews for certain employment nonimmigrant visa applicants who have petitions approved by USCIS through December 31, 2022.

 


 

March 11, 2021

DOS announced that it has extended its policy to expand interview waiver eligibility for individuals applying for a nonimmigrant visa in the same classification until December 31, 2021. Applicants whose nonimmigrant visa expired within 48 months are eligible. Previously, only those applicants whose nonimmigrant visa expired within 24 months were eligible for an interview waiver.

 


 

December 29, 2020

DOS announced that it has extended its policy to expand interview waiver eligibility for individuals applying for a nonimmigrant visa in the same classification until March 31, 2021. Applicants whose nonimmigrant visa expired within 24 months are eligible.

 


 

August 25, 2020

DOS announced that it has temporarily expanded the ability of consular officers to waive the in-person interview requirement for individuals applying for a nonimmigrant visa in the same classification. Previously, only those applicants whose nonimmigrant visa expired within 12 months were eligible for an interview waiver. The expiration period has been temporarily extended to 24 months. This policy is in effect until December 31, 2020.

Cite as AILA Doc. No. 20082503.