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DOS temporarily expands nonimmigrant visa interview waiver eligibility

  1. Original Date Announced

    August 25, 2020

    DOS, in consultation with DHS, temporarily expands eligibility for waivers of the in-person interview requirement from within 12 months of the expiration of an applicant's nonimmigrant visa to within 24 months of its expiration provided that the visa applicant is pursuing a nonimmigrant visa in the same classification. The temporary expansion ends December 31, 2020. To accommodate COVID-19 restrictions, this change will allow consular officers to continue processing certain nonimmigrant visa applications while limiting the number of applicants who must appear at a consular section. [ID #1024]

    2020.09.25 DOS and DHS temporarily expand interview waiver eligibility
  2. Effective Date

    August 25, 2020
  3. Subsequent Trump and Court Action(s)

    • December 29, 2020

      Expansion of Interview Waiver Availability

      The above-described waiver of the in-person interview for certain nonimmigrant visa applicants has been extended to March 31, 2021.

      View Document
    • February 18, 2025

      2025.02.18_Nonimmigrant Visa Interview Waiver Update

      DOS updated the categories of applicants who may be eligible for a waiver of the nonimmigrant visa interview (sometimes referred to as "dropbox" eligibility). The updated guidelines reduce the window of eligibility so that only applicants whose visas have expired within 12 months of their renewal application and only those renewing a visa in the same nonimmigrant category can qualify for a visa-interview waiver.

      For additional information and further updates, please refer to this Trump 2.0 policy.

      View Document
  4.  
  5. Biden Administration Action: Approved/Retained

    December 23, 2021

    2021.12.23 Important Announcement on Waivers of the Interview Requirement for Certain Nonimmigrant Visas

    This Biden administration action retains and expands the Trump-era action identified in this entry.

    On December 23, 2021, the Department of State issued guidance extending and broadening in-person interview waiver eligibility for certain temporary employment-based nonimmigrant visa applicants who have a petition approved by USCIS. Under this guidance, certain visa applicants applying for H-1, H-3, H-4, L, O, P, Q visas are eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview requirement through the end of 2022. In addition, DOS extended previously approved policies to waive the visa interview for certain students, professors, research scholars, short-term scholars, or specialists (F, M, and academic J visa applicants) through the end of 2022. The previous authority allowing for waiver of interview of certain H-2 applicants has also been extended through the end of 2022.  Applicants renewing any visa within 48 months of expiration are also eligible for interview waiver.

    View Document

Current Status

Not in effect

Most Recent Action

December 23, 2021 Action: Approved/Retained 2021.12.23 Important Announcement on Waivers of the Interview Requirement for Certain Nonimmigrant Visas
December 23, 2021
Acted on by Biden Administration

Original Trump Policy Status

Status: Final/Actual
Trump Administration Actions: Agency Directive Change in Practice
Subject Matter: Non-Immigrant Visas
Agencies Affected: Bureau of Consular Affairs

Pre Trump-Era Policies

  • Previously, only those visa applicants whose nonimmigrant visas expired within 12 months were eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview.

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To provide information, corrections, or feedback, please email IPTP.feedback@gmail.com