The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has announced a change to its nonimmigrant visa interview waiver policy, effective October 1, 2025. The updated policy makes applicants renewing an H-2A temporary agricultural worker visa eligible for an interview waiver under specific conditions.
This new guidance provides a significant update for a category of applicants that was previously subject to mandatory in-person interviews. The change is expected to streamline the visa renewal process for temporary agricultural workers, who are crucial to the U.S. economy.
Starting October 1, 2025, applicants renewing an H-2A visa may be eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview requirement if they meet a few key criteria. The prior H-2A visa must have been issued for full validity and expired within the last 12 months. Additionally, the applicant must have been at least 18 years old at the time the prior visa was issued and must apply in their country of nationality or usual residence. They also must have never been refused a visa (unless such refusal was overcome or waived) and have no apparent or potential ineligibility for a visa.
Applicants for diplomatic or official-type visas, as well as those classifiable under the visa symbols A-1, A-2, C-3 (with the exception of attendants, servants, or personal employees), G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1 through NATO-6, or TECRO E-1, will continue to be generally exempt from the in-person interview requirement.
Furthermore, the policy maintains that applicants renewing a B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visa, or Border Crossing Card/Foil (BBBCC/BBBCV for Mexican nationals) may also be eligible for a waiver, provided they meet the same stringent conditions as the H-2A applicants. This includes renewing a full-validity visa within 12 months of its expiration, being at least 18 at the time of the prior visa’s issuance, applying in their country of nationality or residence, having no prior visa refusals (unless overcome or waived), and having no apparent ineligibility.
Since September 2, the U.S. Department of State has reversed the age-based exemptions. Previously, applicants under the age of 14 and over the age of 79 were often exempt from in-person interviews. Now nonimmigrant visa applicants, irrespective of their age, are generally required to attend an in-person interview with a consular officer.
Students (F and M visas) and temporary workers (e.g., H-1B, L-1), who often benefit from broader waiver policies, are now required to undergo an in-person interview as of September 2.
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Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
