The U.S. Department of State has decided to globally revoke the interview waiver for applicants whose nonimmigrant visa expired up to 48 months before submitting a new application.
This modification means that those who wish to renew their nonimmigrant visa must do so when they have less than 12 months of validity left on their document. Previously, individuals whose visas had expired in the last 48 months were allowed to avoid an in-person interview when applying for a renewal. However, this waiver has been removed globally.
According to the Department of State, the revocation of this waiver aims to primarily strengthen security in the visa issuance process. By requiring applicants to undergo an in-person interview for all renewals, a more thorough scrutiny of each individual's background and circumstances is sought.
"This measure will allow us to maintain high levels of security at our borders and ensure that visas are issued responsibly and transparently," stated a spokesperson for the Department of State. Applicants affected by this new regulation will need to schedule an appointment for an interview at the appropriate embassy or consulate before applying for the renewal of their nonimmigrant visa.
