The U.S. Interview Waiver Program

The US Interview Waiver Program lets a consular officer waive the in-person interview for some nonimmigrant visa applicants in limited circumstances. Important: the criteria were significantly tightened by the U.S. Department of State in 2025 — the renewal-based waiver now generally applies only to applicants renewing in the same visa class within 12 months of the prior visa’s expiration, and most applicants (including many who previously qualified) must now attend an in-person interview. Because this policy has changed and continues to change, always confirm the current interview-waiver criteria on travel.state.gov before relying on it.

Interview waiver program requirements

A consular officer can waive an interview for a visa application if any of the following conditions apply.

Not all embassies and consulates must follow the IWP's waiver criteria. Some consulates, in particular, may apply the IWP for only a part of the criteria and impose additional criteria. For example, the IWP has been implemented only for the B-1/B-2, C-1/C2, and D visa types at the embassy in Georgetown, Guyana.

Age-based interview waiver

If none of the reasons for requiring an in-person interview applies, applicants who meet either of the following two conditions may be granted a waiver:

• Under 14
• Over 79 years of age

Waiver of interviews for diplomats or officials

Most Official and Diplomatic Visa Applicants qualify for the Interview Waiver Program.

Renewals with no interviews

Interview waivers may be available for some applicants reapplying for the same visa class they previously held, but only where none of the reasons requiring an in-person interview applies and the applicant meets the current criteria. Under the 2025 rules the renewal window was reduced to within 12 months of the previous visa’s expiration (the earlier 48-month window no longer applies).

• Renewing in the same visa classification as the previous visa
• Applying within 12 months of the previous visa’s expiration
• Applying in your country of nationality or residence
• Having met all biometric requirements previously
• None of the disqualifying factors (such as a prior refusal) applying

Renewals of exchange and student and visitor visas

Exchange and Student visitor visas (F, J, and M) can be renewed using either of the two methods described above, but both conditions must be met:

• For F and M visas, the program, the institution, or both must be identical to the original visa. For J visas, the SEVIS number must remain the same for the interview to be waived.
• The applicant must be in SEVIS status, and an interview may be requested if there are any discrepancies between the current and previous visa applications or for any other reason.

Personal appearance requirements that cannot be waived

Personal appearance may be waived for candidates chosen for interview based on random selection. Other reasons could include the following:

• A previous visa rejection.
• The annotation "Clearance Received" on the most recently issued visa.
• A criminal record.
• A history of immigration violations.
• Other red flags.