USA to end visa interview waivers on student visas

In an update published recently, the Department of State said that eligibility for visa interview waivers will be reduced effective from September 2nd, 2025.

Under current guidance that was published on February 18th this year, F-1, M-1 and J-1 visa applicants may be eligible for an interview waiver if they previously held a visa in the same category that expired less than 12 months prior to the new application.

When the new guidance is applied from September 2nd, 2025, F-1, M-1 and J-1 visa applicants will not be eligible for visa waivers under any circumstances.

No international student applicants will be eligible for interview waivers from September.

The Department of State confirmed that interview waivers will only be applicable to A-1, A-2, C-3, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4 and NATO visa categories and other diplomatic visas.

Applicants renewing a full validity B-1, B-2 B1/B2 or a Border Crossing Card within 12 months of the previous visa’s expiration may also be eligible for visa waivers if certain conditions are met, including being at least 18 at the time of the previous visa’s issuance, applying in their country of nationality or residence, and having no previous visa refusals.

Visa waiver interviews were introduced by the Biden administration in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic as a means of reducing the visa backlog at consulates around the world, a move welcomed by international education industry stakeholders and leading to calls for the practice to be made permanent.

However, eligibility for visa interview waivers for international students has been gradually decreased since.