Immigration and Nationality Law | Warshaw Burstein LLP | U.S. Authorizes Consular Officers to Waive Interviews for Certain Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants Through 2022
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U.S. Authorizes Consular Officers to Waive Interviews for Certain Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants Through 2022

01/03/2022
The U.S. Secretary of State, in consultation with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has authorized consular officers to waive in-person interviews for certain nonimmigrant visa applicants through the end of 2022. Nonimmigrant visa applicants with previous petitions approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may be eligible for this interview waiver if they:
 
(i) are applying for a temporary nonimmigrant visa in the H-1, H-3, H-4, L, O, P or Q visa categories;
(ii) are applying for a visa in their country of nationality or residence;
(iii) were previously issued any type of visa;
(iv) have never been refused a visa unless such refusal was overcome or waived; and
(v) have no apparent ineligibility or potential ineligibility.

First-time H-1, H-3, H-4, L, O, P and Q visa applicants with USCIS-approved petitions may also be eligible for waivers of the interview requirement if they are citizens or nationals of countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program and:
 
(i) have no apparent ineligibility or potential ineligibility; and
(ii) have previously used the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to travel to the United States.

The previous policy that permitted interview waivers for F, M, academic J, and H-2 visa applications has also been extended through the end of 2022. Applicants renewing any visa type within 48 months of the visa’s expiration are also eligible for waivers of the interview requirement.

View the official State Department announcement.