The U.S. State Department has announced a major update to its visa renewal policy, and it’s going to affect a lot of people. Starting September 2, 2025, many visa holders who previously qualified for interview waivers will now have to show up in person for an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
Here’s what’s changing:
The list of visas eligible for interview waiver renewals has been cut down dramatically.
This move reverses the more flexible policies from the Biden era, which had expanded interview waivers to make the process easier for students and workers.
Going forward, most applicants must plan for an in-person interview if they need a renewal.
If you hold one of the following visas, you’ll need to attend an interview no matter what:
F (academic students)
J (exchange visitors)
M (vocational students)
I (media and journalist visas)
H-2A and H-2B (seasonal workers)
H-3 (trainees)
P-3 (entertainers and performers)
For H-1B visa holders, the rules are a little nuanced. You might still qualify for an interview waiver if you’re returning to the same employer. But if you’ve switched jobs and filed an H-1B transfer, you’ll need to go to the embassy for a full interview again.
Another change: children under 14 are no longer automatically exempt from interviews. Now, only applicants aged 80 and above may still qualify for waivers, depending on past visa history.
F-1, J-1, and M-1 students will now need to attend in-person interviews for visa renewals. This important change may add complexity to your travel and academic plans. Security checks have become more thorough in recent years, and the increase in interview requirements is likely to extend processing and wait times. If you’re preparing for a trip home or planning family visits, we recommend allowing extra time for your visa process before returning to the U.S., thoughtful planning can help ensure a smoother journey.
Double-check the latest requirements on the U.S. embassy website where you plan to apply, since policies can vary slightly by location.
Prepare a complete and relevant set of documents when applying, to avoid delays. Don’t include unnecessary papers—they won’t be returned.
Remember that even if you meet the waiver requirements, approval is never guaranteed. The consulate can still call you in for an interview.
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