Visa Interview Waiver Program Ending for Many Non-Immigrants: What Travelers Need to Know Starting September 2025

Effective September 2, 2025, most nonimmigrant visa applicants will once again be required to appear in person for a visa interview at a U.S. consulate or embassy. On July 25, 2025, the U.S. Department of State formally announced the discontinuation of the pandemic-era visa interview waiver (commonly referred to as “Dropbox”) program for most applicants. Read the full announcement here. 

This change will significantly affect how foreign nationals renew visas abroad, particularly those in H, L, O, and F categories who have benefited from simplified processing in recent years. 

What is changing: 

Before this announcement, consular officers had broad discretion to waive in-person interviews for many nonimmigrant visa applicants who met certain criteria. That discretion has now been rescinded. Beginning September 2, most nonimmigrant visa applicants, including children under age 14 and adults over 79, will generally be required to attend an in-person interview. Previously, children under age 14 and adults over 79 did not need to appear for in person visa appointments.  

Limited Exceptions: 

A few exceptions remain and will be eligible for visa waiver. These include:  

• Applicants classifiable under the visa symbols A-1, A-2, C-3 (except attendants, servants, or personal employees of accredited officials), G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1 through NATO-6, or TECRO E-1; 

• Applicants for diplomatic- or official-type visas; and 

• Applicants renewing a full validity B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visa or a Border Crossing Card/Foil (for Mexican nationals) within 12 months of the prior visa’s expiration, and who were at least 18 years old at the time of the prior visa’s issuance. This category must also meet each of the following: 

• • apply in their country of nationality or residence; 

• • have never been refused a visa (unless such refusal was overcome or waived); and 

• • have no apparent or potential ineligibility. 

Impact on Non-Immigrants: 

The significant limitation on the interview waiver program means longer processing times and limited appointment availability, especially in high-demand categories such as: 

• H-1B and H-4 (Specialty Occupation Workers and Dependents) 

• L-1 and L-2 (Intra-Company Transferees and their dependents) 

• O-1 (Individuals with Extraordinary Ability and their dependents) 

• F-1 and J-1 (Students and Exchange Visitors) 

Previously, these applicants could submit documents by courier or dropbox without an in-person visa interview. The in-person interview requirement will add to travel and scheduling burdens and increase the risk of delay. 

Common Questions: 

• What happens to appointments that are already scheduled for dropbox on or after September 2, 2025.
  • The Department of State has not provided any clarification regarding existing dropbox appointments. However, it is likely going to be based on each Consulate how they handle existing dropbox visa appointments. It is recommended that you closely keep an eye on your existing dropbox appointment for any cancelations.
• If visa appointments become significantly backlogged, can I request an expedite visa appointment? 
  • Each Consulate has its own procedure for requesting expedite visa appointments. Generally, you are required to first secure a visa appointment, and then you can request an expedite visa appointment based on limited criteria, such as medical emergency, or urgent business need. Expedite request approvals are discretionary and subject to availability. 
• If I do not get an appointment at a U.S. Consulate in my home country, can I go to a different country with shorter wait times?
  • Applying for a non-immigrant visa at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy in a country where you are not a citizen or resident will result in you being processed as a “third-country national” This generally means that your case will not be prioritized and therefore, you will be subject to longer wait times than citizens or residents of that country. Further, you may be more suspectable to “administrative processing” by applying as a third country national. 

What traveler’s and employers should expect:  

Since 2020, the State Department has repeatedly extended the discretionary interview waiver authority to streamline processing, reduce consular backlogs, and help international travel and minimize business impacts.  

Now, with the combination of requiring in person visa stamping appointments for most non-immigrants, combined with the decrease in resources at the State Department, as well as instructions for consular officers to conduct additional reviews of applicants, including applicants social media, one can expect significant increase in wait times to get visa stamping appointments and even once an appointment is secured, longer wait times and uncertainty to the outcome of their visa stamping appointment.