US is waiving in-person interviews for more visa applicants; here's how long you have to wait if you've not made the cut

The United States has once more expanded the scope of its visa waiver programme, in a bid to shorten the wait times for visa appointments.

Travelers with "clearance received" or "department authorization" on their previous visas can now use the interview waiver process to apply for a new visa.

The US Embassy in India announced the developement on Twitter, "More good news for U.S. visa renewals!" it said.



Applicants renewing any visa in the same category within 48 months of expiration are eligible for interview waiver.

The Department of State has also authorized consular officers to waive the in-person interview requirement for travelers applying for F, H-1, H-3, H-4, non-blanket L, M, O, P, Q, and academic J visas who were previously issued any type of visa, if they are applying for a visa in their country of nationality or residence.

This authorization does not apply to applicants who have a previous refusal that was not subsequently waived or overcome.

However, consular officers may request an in-person interview if additional information is required from applicants.

Applicants applying through the interview waiver process should allow up to three weeks from the time a passport has been accepted at the Visa Application Center until the passport is delivered or they are notified that the passport is ready for pickup.

Last year, the US extended the waiver program until December 31, 2023, for

• Certain H-2 (temporary agricultural and non-agricultural workers) applicants
• Certain students, professors, research scholars, short-term scholars, or specialists (F, M, and academic J visa applicants)
• Certain temporary workers who have an individual petition approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (H-1, H-3, H-4, L, O, P, and Q visa applicants) who meet certain conditions, including that they are applying for a visa in their country of nationality or residence.

Under these authorities, consular officers have discretion to waive the visa interview requirement for certain first-time and renewing H-2 visa applicants, and for certain F, M, and academic J, and individual petition-based H-1, H-3, H-4, L, O, P, and Q applicants who were previously issued any type of visa, and who have never been refused a visa unless such refusal was overcome or waived, and who have no apparent ineligibility or potential ineligibility; or for certain first-time F, M, and academic J, or individual petition-based H-1, H-3, H-4, L, O, P, and Q applicants who are citizens or nationals of a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), provided they have no apparent ineligibility or potential ineligibility and have previously traveled to the United States using an authorization obtained via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)

The current wait times are

Delhi

Mumbai

Chennai

Kolkata

Hyderabad