Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant Interview Waivers Extended in 2023

The U.S. Department of State recently recognized the positive impact of travel to the United States by international students and temporary work visa holders and committed to reducing visa wait times.

For example, the Department issued over three million nonimmigrant visas in Fiscal Year 2022 that were adjudicated without an in-person interview. 

The Secretary of State announced a determination on December 23, 2022, extending the authority of consular officers to waive in-person interviews on a case-by-case basis for specific nonimmigrant visa categories through December 31, 2023.

'We are successfully lowering visa wait times worldwide... and making every effort to further reduce those wait times as quickly as possible, including for first-time tourist visa applicants, wrote the State Department.

However, U.S. embassies and consulates may still require an in-person interview on a case-by-case basis.

Furthermore, the authorization to waive the in-person interview for applicants renewing a visa in the same classification within 48 months of the prior visa's expiration was previously authorized to remain in place until further notice.

We encourage applicants to check embassy and consulate websites for more detailed information about this development and current operating status and services.

For more information, visit the Bureau of Consular affairs travel website.

And if U.S. citizens need emergency assistance while traveling abroad, they should contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate at +1 202-501-4444.

Additional travel certificate and visa information is posted at Vax-Before-Travel.com/Certificates.