On December 23, 2021, the Secretary of State extended through the end of 2022 existing policy guidance for visa interview waivers for certain nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applicants (with minor modifications) and expanded the authorization to include additional categories of NIV applicants, as follows:
Categories NEWLY eligible for discretionary Visa Interview Waiver consideration (H-1, H-3, H-4, L, O, P, and Q):
Consular officers were given the discretionary authority to waive the visa interview requirement for individual petition-based H-1, H-3, H-4, L, O, P, and Q applicants who were previously issued any type of visa and:
who have never been refused a visa unless such refusal was overcome/waived; and
who have no apparent ineligibility or potential ineligibility.
Consular officers also have the discretion to waive the visa interview requirement for first- time individual petition-based H-1, H-3, H-4, L, O, P, and Q applicants who:
are citizens or nationals of a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), provided:
they have no apparent ineligibility or potential ineligibility; and
have previously traveled to the United States using an authorization obtained via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
Categories with EXTENDED eligibility for discretionary Visa Interview Waiver consideration (F, M, J (academic) and H-2) through the end of 2022:
Previously approved policies authorizing consular officers to waive the visa interview requirement for F, M, academic J, and H-2 visa applicants have been extended (with minor modifications). The current policies for F, M, and academic J visa applicants are as follows:
Consular officers have the discretion to waive the visa interview requirement for F, M, and academic J Visa applicants who:
were previously issued any type of visa and:
who have never been refused a visa, unless that refusal was subsequently overcome or a waiver of ineligibility was obtained; and
for whom there is no indication of potential visa misuse or ineligibility;
or
are first-time F, M, and academic J visa applicants who/whose:
are citizens or nationals of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) participating countries;
have no prior ESTA denials;
have previously traveled to the United States using an authorization obtained via ESTA to qualify;
visa applications reveal no derogatory or potentially derogatory information; and
have no indication of potential visa misuse or ineligibility.
Certain H-2 (temporary agricultural and non-agricultural workers) applicants also remain eligible through the end of 2022 under previous authority allowing for waiver of interviews, as do applicants renewing any visa within 48 months of expiration.
How to Apply for an Interview Waiver:
As these waivers are to be granted individually at the discretion of local DOS consular officers, applicants are advised to check the website of the relevant U.S. embassy or consulate to confirm the level of services currently offered and to find guidelines for applying for a visa without an interview.