The US visa interview

Who has to interview

The standard rule is that nonimmigrant visa applicants between the ages of 14 and 79 must attend an in-person interview. Children under 14 and applicants 80 and over have historically often been eligible for interview waivers, but current State Department guidance expects most applicants across the age range to appear in person, with only limited exceptions.

• General rule: interviews required for applicants aged 14 through 79.
• Limited waiver categories exist (for example certain diplomatic and official visa classes, and some short-window renewals of the same visa type), but these narrow over time.
• A consular officer can require an in-person interview in any case, for any reason, even where a waiver might otherwise apply.
• Immigrant visa applicants (consular processing) interview at the US embassy or consulate abroad; adjustment-of-status applicants inside the US interview with USCIS instead.

What to bring

Bring your paperwork organised and complete. Missing documents are one of the most common reasons an application stalls. Requirements vary by visa category and by consulate, so check your appointment confirmation and the post's website for its specific list.

• A passport valid for your intended travel (check any validity rules for your nationality).
• The DS-160 confirmation page (nonimmigrant) or DS-260 confirmation (immigrant), and your appointment confirmation.
• Your MRV fee payment receipt and, where required, any SEVIS I-901 receipt (F/M/J) or approved petition notice.
• A compliant photo if the post asks for a printed one, plus supporting documents for your case (evidence of ties, funds, employment, study, or the qualifying relationship).
• For immigrant cases, civil documents and the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864); for some nonimmigrant cases, Form I-134.

What happens on the day

Arrive early, expect airport-style security, and be ready for biometrics (usually digital fingerprints) if you have not already provided them. The interview itself is typically brief. The officer will ask about your purpose of travel, your plans, and your circumstances, and will assess whether you qualify. Answer honestly and directly; misrepresentation carries serious, lasting consequences.

• Answer questions clearly and truthfully in your own words.
• Most decisions are made at the interview, and you will usually be told whether the visa is approved, refused, or needs further processing.
• If approved, the post keeps your passport to print the visa and returns it by the post's chosen collection or courier method.

The 214(b) refusal

A refusal under section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act is the most common outcome for visitor and other temporary visa applicants. It means the officer was not satisfied that you qualify for the category, and/or that you did not overcome the legal presumption of immigrant intent by showing strong ties that will compel you to leave the US at the end of your stay. Officers weigh each case individually, looking at your travel plans, finances, and ties outside the US.

There is no formal appeal against a 214(b) refusal. You may reapply, but you should only do so if your circumstances have genuinely changed or you have material new information to present.

Administrative processing (221(g))

Sometimes an application is neither approved nor finally refused on the day. Under section 221(g), the officer may need more documents or further internal checks before deciding. This is often called administrative processing. If you are asked for documents, respond as fully and quickly as you can; you generally have one year from the refusal date to submit them before the application can be treated as abandoned.

Processing times vary widely and are hard to predict. The State Department generally asks applicants to wait at least 180 days from the interview (or from submitting requested documents, whichever is later) before enquiring about status, except in genuine emergencies.

Fees and figures change

Fees are set separately from the interview and change periodically, so confirm current amounts on the official pages before you pay. As of the 2026-08-20 baseline, the MRV application fee is $185 for most non-petition nonimmigrant categories (B, F, M, J and similar), $205 for petition-based categories (H, L, O, P, Q, R), and $315 for E treaty trader/investor visas. Some applicants also pay a separate reciprocity or issuance fee that depends on nationality, and F/M/J applicants pay the SEVIS I-901 fee in addition to the MRV fee.

• Pay fees only through official channels; never pay a third party who promises to influence the decision.
• Reciprocity/issuance fees vary by country and are separate from the MRV fee.
• Because fees and interview rules are revised regularly, verify the current figures and requirements on travel.state.gov before your appointment.