US to update non-immigrant visa interview waiver rules from October 1

Starting October 1, 2025, most non-immigrant visa applicants to the United States will need to follow revised regulations, as announced by The US Department of State. The government is updating categories eligible for interview waivers, which means most applicants, including children under 14 and seniors over 79, will be required to attend an in-person interview at a US consulate or embassy.

Who can be exempt from interviews
Under the revised policy, exceptions are limited to the following categories:

• Applicants for diplomatic or official visas.
• Applicants under visa symbols A-1, A-2, C-3, G-1 through G-4, NATO-1 through NATO-6, or TECRO E-1.
• Renewals of B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visas, or Border Crossing Cards within 12 months of the prior visa’s expiration, if the prior visa was issued for full validity and the applicant was at least 18 years old.
• Renewals of H-2A visas within 12 months under similar conditions.

Eligibility criteria and exceptions
To qualify for a waiver, applicants must apply in their country of nationality or usual residence, have no prior visa refusals (unless overcome or waived), and have no apparent or potential ineligibility. Consular officers retain the authority to require in-person interviews on a case-by-case basis.

From September 2, 2025, nearly all non-immigrant visa applicants were needed to attend in-person interviews with US consular officers. The move ends age-based exemptions and “drop box” renewals for many categories, marking a significant change for students, business professionals, and frequent travellers.

Previously, students, skilled workers, business professionals, and frequent travellers under 14 or over 79 could skip interviews. Now, nearly all applicants, whether first-time or renewing, must attend in-person interviews.

Exceptions remain for diplomatic and official visas, certain international organization categories, and specific renewals of full-validity B-1/B-2 visas or border crossing cards for Mexican nationals. Nationals of 57 countries, including Afghanistan, Nigeria, Cuba, Iran, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe, must attend interviews for all non-immigrant visas. India is not included in this group.

The changes are likely to increase wait times for visa appointments. Applicants are advised to plan ahead, check the Global Visa Wait Times website for updates, and carry the correct DS-160 confirmation page. Only one free reschedule is permitted, and any additional reschedules will require payment of a new visa fee.