April Relaunch: exclusive discounts coming soon
Xender Facebook logo Linkedin logo Instagram logo Youtube logo
  (+1) 469 463 5461
WhatsApp
WhatsApp Message

US Mandate for in-Person Visa Interviews to Take Effect from September 2025

US Mandate for in-Person Visa Interviews to Take Effect from September 2025

In a recent revision, the US has modified the interview waiver list and called upon the majority of non-immigrants to appear in person for immigration interviews. The majority of the candidates, except the ones on the Interview Waiver List, are required to show up for the interview in person. The rule says that the Interview Waiver benefit will only be available to specific B1/B2 visa holders. If the candidate possesses an H-1B or F-1 student visa already, and their previous visa ended less than 12 months prior to the current application, they will no longer be included for the Interview Waiver Advantage from September.

Many candidates are facing the anxieties and uncertainties around H-1B. As a prominent EB-1A green card consultancy, we are guiding aspirants and visa holders alike in paving their path from an H1 visa to a green card. You can reach out to us here to know how we can make that possible.

Let’s get back to the news at hand. Here is our breakdown of what this news can mean for you if you are a visa holder or aspirant.

So, what is this new policy about?

The new policy suggests that the majority of non-immigrant visa applicants will have to be physically present for interviews, from September 2, 2025, onwards.

In other words, the Visa Interview Waiver, commonly known as Dropbox, will be revised in favour of in-person visa interviews at the US Embassies and Consulates. Only a few candidates from the B1/B2 section will be exempted from this interview.

Everything you need to know about the mandatory face-to-face interviews

The list of applicants who need to appear for the in-person interview even extends to persons of age under 14 and over 79. All applicants for these two non-immigrant visa categories must meet with a consular officer in person, except for the following two categories:

  • Candidates who are covered under the A-1, A-2, or C-3 visa categories.
  • Candidates who were at least 18 years old during the time when the previous visa was granted, and who are also applying for a full-validity B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2 visa, or a Border Crossing Card/ Foil (for Mexican Citizens) within a year of the previous visa’s expiration.

In other words, certain B1/B2 visas that are renewed within a year of the previous visa’s expiration, and if the prior visa was awarded to individuals at least 18 years old at the time of issuing, they will still be eligible for a waiver programme.

To satisfy the eligibility criteria for an interview waiver, candidates must never have had their visa denied, nor should they have any evident or prospective ineligibility. They will need to renew their fully valid B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visa for the best benefits.

As a leading EB-1A green card consultancy, we are always providing news and updates on the ever-changing immigration landscape. Bookmark our blog section for news and updates. If you are looking to switch from H1 to EB1, we can help. Get in touch with us through the contact section of our website to know more.

Recent Post
3 Strategic Ways Extraordinary Freelancers & Influencers Can Fit Into The EB-1A Visa Category

The structure of employment has changed significantly in our time. The creator economy is redefining what employment looks like in our time. Hence, the question arises: will the employment-based visa categories take into account the redefined notion of employment?
USCIS Releases FY-2027 H-1B Cap Registration: Everything You Need to Know

The annual race for the United States’ most sought-after work visa has officially begun. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has opened the registration window for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 H-1B cap. But this year’s process is far from routine. Major policy changes like the wage-weighted lottery system and new cost implications are going to play out in this fiscal year.
Raja Krishnamoorthi’s Push for H-1B Reform: What His Bill Means for High-Skilled Immigrants

Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has long been one of the most vocal advocates for high-skilled immigrant workers in the United States.

Second US Appeals Court Nods to Trump’s Immigration Detention Policy

A U.S. Appeals court endorsed the Trump administration’s proposed policy of mandatory detention of immigration suspects without the right to be released on bond. This important ruling will impact numerous cases in Minnesota, along with six other states. This would be the second time a panel of a regional appeals court upheld the Trump administration’s mass-detention policy after the lower-court judges had found it unlawful.

U.S. State Department Announces Adoption Exception in Visa Suspension Policy: What It Means for Families & Immigration Applicants

In a recent update to U.S. immigration policy, the U.S. Department of State has announced a critical exception for international adoption cases amid its broader visa suspension framework. The change, issued in late January 2026, introduces a National Interest Exception (NIE) specifically for children being adopted by U.S. citizens.

Your I-140 Filing Address & Service Center Choice Matters in Your EB-1A Processing Duration: Here’s How

The EB-1A extraordinary ability category is unanimously the dream route for extraordinary achievers. It remains the most comprehensive and direct path to permanent residency without the need for employer sponsorship or PERM labor certification. But here is a truth that often gets buried beneath evidence portfolios and recommendation letters: the way you file your I-140 petition, specifically your filing address and how USCIS routes your case to a service center, can significantly impact how long your petition takes to process.
What Types of EB-1A Media Coverage Qualify for the USCIS Requirements?

When applying under the EB-1A category, media coverage often becomes a decisive piece of evidence.
The Employment-Based Visa Categories in the September 2025 Bulletin

The September 2025 Visa Bulletin, issued by the U.S. Department of State, is the final checkpoint before the U.S. immigration system resets for a new fiscal year in October.
Do F-1 OPT Holders Need to Pay $100,000 Visa Fee? EB1 Experts Answer

Confused about the rumored $100,000 visa fee for F-1 OPT holders? Get clear answers from EB1 experts who break down the facts, and what this means for your U.S. immigration journey.
A Nebraska Federal Court Questions USCIS’s Vague EB-1A “Final Merits” Denial: A Meaningful Shift in EB-1A Green Card?

When Anahita Mukherji’s EB-1A green card petition was denied despite USCIS agreeing she met five of the ten criteria, a Nebraska federal court took notice. On January 28, 2026, the U.S. District Court for Nebraska vacated the denial and ordered USCIS to approve her case. This rare step, in Mukherji v. Miller, directly challenges USCIS’s controversial two-step “final merits” review in EB-1A Extraordinary Ability cases.