DOS Updates Categories of Applicants That May Be Eligible for Waiver of Nonimmigrant Visa Interview

DOS announced that it has updated the categories of applicants that may be eligible for a waiver of the nonimmigrant visa interview for certain categories of applicants, as follows:

• Applicants classifiable under the visa symbols A-1, A-2, C-3 (except attendants, servants, or personal employees of accredited officials), G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1 through NATO-6, or TECRO E-1;
• Applicants for diplomatic– or official-type visas; and
• Applicants who previously held a visa in the same category that expired less than 12 months prior to the new application.

To be eligible for an interview waiver, applicants must also meet certain criteria, including that they:

• Apply in their country of nationality or residence;
• Have never been refused a visa (unless such refusal was overcome or waived); and
• Have no apparent or potential ineligibility.

Consular officers may still require in-person interviews on a case-by-case basis or because of local conditions.

This update supersedes DOS’s Interview Waiver Update of 12/21/23.