The United States has modified the interview waiver list, requiring most non-immigrants to attend in-person immigration interviews beginning September 2. The U.S. Department of State has announced that most non-immigrant visa applicants will be required to attend in-person interviews starting September 2, 2025.
Most candidates under 14 and over 79, who were previously barred from interviews, must now appear in person, unless they are on the Visa Interview Waiver List. Only select B1/B2 visa holders are eligible for the Interview Waiver advantage.
H-1B and F-1 student visa holders who previously had a visa that expired less than 12 months before the current application will not be eligible for the Interview Waiver benefit, effective September 2.
The Visa Interview Waiver, also known as Dropbox, eliminates the need for in-person visa interviews at US Embassies and Consulates for eligible individuals has been updated as of September 2.
What to Expect
What this means is a lengthy appointment and processing time for almost all travelers to the US, including tourists and students.
Applicants should expect appointment cancellations, rescheduling, or conversion to in-person interviews on or after September 2, 2025.
One should anticipate a surge in demand, particularly for student and work visas, leading to extended wait times, backlogs, and processing delays during the fall and holiday travel periods.
Mandatory In-Person Interviews
Most applicants under 14 and over 79, who were previously excluded from interviews, must now appear in person unless they are covered in the Visa Interview Waiver list.
However, certain applicants under the age of 14 and over the age of 79, will be exempted:
Applicants under the visa symbols A-1, A-2, C-3 (except attendants, servants, or personal employees of accredited officials)
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 means, renewal of certain B1/B2 visas within 12 months of the prior visa’s expiration and being at least 18 years old at the time of issuance may still qualify for an in-person interview waiver from September 2.
To be eligible for an interview waiver, applicants must renew their fully valid B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visa or Border Crossing Card/Foil for Mexican nationals by applying in their country of nationality or residency, have never been denied a visa, and have no evident or prospective ineligibility.
Drobox Update
The Interview Waiver Update of February 18, 2025 has been superseded; however, consular personnel may continue to request in-person interviews on an individual basis.
The interview exemption list for applicants whose visas expired less than 12 months before their new application was added on February 18, 2025, but was removed on July 25, 2025.
US Visa Fee Hike
In another development, the US visa fee for immigrants and travellers is set to rise. For non-petition-based visas, such as B1/B2 visas for business, tourism, medical treatment, and visitor visas, as well as for F-1, F2, and other student visas, including transit visas, the overall cost of the US visa fee will rise by over 148%. The current charge for a non-immigrant visa that is not petition-based is $185.