U.S. Ends Policy Allowing Nonimmigrant Visa Renewals Without Interviews Within 48 Months of Expiration

The Trump administration revoked the policy that allowed the renewal of U.S. visitor and other non-immigrant visas without an interview if the previous visa had expired within 48 months. The Biden administration had extended this provision indefinitely, but as of Tuesday, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has discontinued the policy.

Previously, individuals who held a U.S. visitor visa or other non-immigrant visas, and whose visas had expired within 48 months, could renew their visas without an interview by using the Dropbox facility at the U.S. embassy. This exemption also applied to applicants who had held any type of non-immigrant visa in the past and were applying for another non-immigrant visa within 48 months of the previous visa’s expiration.

Now, the eligibility period for this facility has been reduced from 48 months to 12 months. Only those whose non-immigrant visas have expired within the past 12 months will be eligible for renewal in the same category without an interview through the Dropbox system at the embassy. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, this facility was limited to applicants whose visas had expired within 12 months, but the eligibility period was temporarily extended due to the pandemic.

U.S. embassies can still grant visas without an interview for certain categories, including diplomats, foreign military personnel stationed in the U.S., foreign government officials transiting through the U.S., employees of NATO or international organizations, and applicants for diplomatic or official visas.

In a notice issued Tuesday, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs stated: “Consular officers have the authority and discretion to waive the in-person interview for the following categories as outlined in the Immigration and Nationality Act section 222(h): applicants classifiable under the visa symbols A-1, A-2, C-3 (except attendants, servants, or personal employees of accredited officials), G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1 through NATO-6, or TECRO E-1; applicants for diplomatic- or official-type visas; and applicants who previously held a visa in the same category that expired less than 12 months prior to the new application.”

Additionally, the Trump administration revoked the provision that allowed first-time H-2 visa applicants (temporary agricultural and non-agricultural workers) to be exempt from interviews.

To obtain a visa without an interview, applicants must first create an online profile and complete the application process. They must print the interview waiver confirmation letter and submit it, along with their passport and required documents, to the designated delivery center. No embassy appointment is necessary.

When submitting documents, applicants must include a printed interview waiver confirmation letter, a passport valid for at least six months, a passport containing the most recent U.S. visa (if applicable), the DS-160 confirmation page, the visa fee payment receipt, and a photo taken within the past six months.

To be eligible for an interview waiver, applicants must also meet certain criteria, including applying in their country of nationality or residence; never having been refused a visa (unless the refusal was overcome or waived); and having no apparent or potential ineligibility, according to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs.

The Bureau of Consular Affairs further stated, “Consular officers may still require in-person interviews on a case-by-case basis or due to local conditions. We encourage applicants to check embassy and consulate websites for detailed information about visa application requirements and procedures, as well as to learn more about the operating status and services of the specific embassy or consulate.”