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Original Date Announced
August 25, 2020DOS, in consultation with DHS, temporarily expands the 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 eligibilityEffective Date
August 25, 2020Subsequent Trump-Era and Court Action(s)
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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
Biden Administration Action: Approved/Retained
December 23, 20212021.12.23 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 DocumentCurrent Status
Fully in EffectMost Recent Action
December 23, 2021 Action: Approved/Retained 2021.12.23 Important Announcement on Waivers of the Interview Requirement for Certain Nonimmigrant VisasDecember 23, 2021Acted on by Biden Administration
Original Trump Policy Status
Status: Final/ActualTrump Administration Actions: Agency Directive Change in PracticeSubject Matter: Non-Immigrant VisasAgencies Affected: Bureau of Consular AffairsPre Trump-Era Policies
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Previously, only those visa applicants whose nonimmigrant visas expired within 12 months were eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview.
Documents
Trump-Era Policy Documents
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New Policy
Original Source:
DOS temporarily expands interview waiver eligibility
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Subsequent Action
Original Source:
Expansion of Interview Waiver Availability