The interview waiver system for non-immigrant visa applications has been modified by the United States Department of State, which has an effect on the eligibility requirements for student visa categories.
The modifications, which were verified in an update at the end of December, are a result of a decision made by the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security, to define specified interview waiver categories as being “in the national interest.” These changes will take effect on January 1, 2024. Although they are subject to annual reviews, these waivers will remain in effect until further notice.
Applicants for non-immigrant visas, including those seeking student visas, may be eligible for a visa interview waiver under the revised standards if they have been granted a non-immigrant visa in the past (with the exception of a B visa) and are applying for a visa within forty-eight months after the expiration of their most recent visa.
In addition, applicants must fulfill specific requirements in order to be eligible for an interview waiver. These requirements include the following:
- apply in the country in which they are a citizen or current resident.
- have never been denied a visa, unless the refusal was overturned or waived in some special circumstance.
- do not appear to be ineligible or have any potential for ineligibility.
At the beginning of the year 2021, the United States Department of State gave consular officers the authority to forego conducting interviews with certain non-immigrant visa applicants who had already been granted a visa through the prior process. This provision was extended for first-time applicants from countries that participate in visa-waiver programs until the end of 2022, and it will be renewed for a subsequent period of time until the end of 2023.
Nevertheless, as a result of the latest modifications, interview waivers for first-time applicants from countries that do not require a visa to enter the United States are no longer available.
It is possible that consular personnel will continue to demand in-person interviews on a case-by-case basis or due to the circumstances of the local area. According to a statement released by the State Department, “We encourage applicants to check the websites of the embassy and consulate for more detailed information about visa application requirements and procedures, as well as to learn more about the embassy’s operating status and services.”