Temporary Waiver of In-person Interviews for Certain Visas

On December 23, 2021, the Department of State granted consular offices the discretionary power to temporarily waive in-person interviews for certain non-immigrant visas namely: H-1, H-3, H-4, L, O, P and Q visas. This discretionary power terminates at the end of 2022. This waiver process will vary among the different countries depending on each consulate’s capacity to handle the visa applications.

The following requirements must ALL be met to be considered or qualify for the waiver

1. Must be applying for one of the eligible aforementioned visas

2. Your petition must have already been approved

3. You must be applying in your country of residence or country of nationality

4. You must have been granted another type of visa in the past

5. You must have no prior denial or refusal of a visa application

6. You must have no apparent ineligibility or potential ineligibility.

Furthermore, first time applicants under the same categories to citizens of the visa waiver program are also eligible for this temporary waiver. The first-time applicant must have previously visited the USA via the Electronic Systems for Travel Authorization.

For additional information, visit your country’s consulate website.