Since the 1st of January 2022, the US State Department has decreased the number of US visas that do not require an interview during the application process.
The US Federal government wants to ease the application process for some US visas, so they introduced the new law.
Interview Appointment waived for some visa applications under the Simplified Visa Application Order
If applicants are eligible, the US consulates can waive the interview for them. The rule applies to work visas or employment visas, but the applicants need to meet a few eligibility principles.
The new rule applies to temporary work visas:
- H-1
- H-3
- H-4
- L
- O
- P
- Q
The initial validity of the rule is until the 31st of December, 2022, and it remains to be seen whether the authorities extend it or not.
The US visa rules require applicants aged 14-79 to visit the US embassy or consulate in person, but the new rule allows only mail applications.
Who qualifies for the new rule over NO interview in the application process?
The following groups can use the new interview waiver program for US visa applications:
- The applicant must have received one US visa before and attended a US visa interview.
- Applicants need to apply in the country of their residence and be in the country at the time of application; for instance, a French applicant must be in France, not in the UK.
- No visa denial in the applicant’s history.
- No visa exclusion reasons for the applicant.
- Applicant has entered the US soil once
- Applicant has not been denied an ESTA
US student visa application without interview
US student visa applicants can apply without an interview for the following visas:
- F
- M
- Certain J-1 visas
- Secondary and University Students
- Professors
- Research or Short-term Scholars
- Specialists
The interview waiver program has been extended for a student visa until 31 December 2022.
The mentioned eligibility principles for the US work visa are true for the US student visas.
The new rule is that the following visa candidates must have applied once to the country:
- F
- M
- J
Also, the H-2A and H-2B interview exemption has been extended until the end of 2022.
