The US State Department has announced important changes to its non-immigrant visa interview rules, which will take effect from September 2 this year.
These updates were shared by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The new policy reverses the earlier rule from February 18 by tightening eligibility criteria.
Now, applicants who are under 14 years old or over 79 years old will need to attend a personal interview, unless they fall under certain visa categories or meet specific renewal conditions.
This change may impact Indian applicants significantly, as a large number of Indians live and work in the United States.
According to the State Department, the main goal of these changes is to enhance security. H
owever, travelers are concerned that it could increase visa processing time and reduce access.
Visa Categories That Are Exempt
Under the new rules, most non-immigrant visa applicants will have to appear for a mandatory consular interview. Only a few categories are exempt, including:
A-1, A-2 (diplomatic visas)
C-3 (foreign officials in transit)
G-1 to G-4 (representatives of international organizations)
NATO-1 to NATO-6 (NATO personnel)
TECRO E-1 visas
These exemptions mostly apply to diplomatic and official visa holders.
Longer Wait Times Expected for Appointments
The USCIS also stated that consular officers can still request personal interviews based on specific situations or local conditions.
Applicants are advised to check their local US consulate websites for detailed instructions and updates on the process.
The Trump administration has explained that this move is part of a broader effort to strengthen immigration screening in response to global security threats.
The State Department also aims to give officers more flexibility to assess individual cases.
Experts Raise Concerns Over Interview Requirement
Houston-based immigration lawyer Steven Brown warned that these changes could make the process more time-consuming.
He believes that by removing the dropbox option (interview waivers) for many categories, visa renewals will now take longer and become less efficient.
He especially criticized the requirement for interviews of young children, calling it “absurd”.
