Interview Requirement Waiver Available For Certain Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants

Effective Jan. 1, 2024, certain nonimmigrant visa applicants are now eligible for a waiver of the visa interview requirement. The U.S. Department of State recently announced the following nonimmigrant categories are in the "national interest," and interview waivers should be granted at the discretion of the local U.S. consular officers:

• First time H-2 visa applicants (temporary agricultural and non-agricultural workers); and
• Other nonimmigrant visa applicants applying for any nonimmigrant visa classification who:
  • Were previously issued a nonimmigrant visa in any classification, unless the only prior issued visa was a B visa; and
  • Are applying within 48 months of their most recent nonimmigrant visa's expiration date.