Renewal Interview Waiver
Effective September 2, 2025, the Department of State has updated the categories of applicants that may be eligible for a waiver of the nonimmigrant visa interview. All nonimmigrant visa applicants, including applicants under the age of 14 and over the age of 79, will generally require an in-person interview with a consular officer except:
- 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.
To be eligible for an interview waiver based on the third bullet point above (applicants renewing a full validity B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visa or a Border Crossing Card/Foil for Mexican nationals), applicants must also meet certain criteria, including that they:
- Be a citizen or legal resident of one of the following countries or territories:
- Anguilla
- Barbados
- British Virgin Islands
- Grenada
- Guadeloupe
- Martinique
- Montserrat
- St. Barthelemy
- French St. Martin
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- have never been refused a visa (unless such refusal was overcome or waived); and
- have no apparent or potential ineligibility.
Consular officers may still require in-person interviews on a case-by-case basis for any reason. Applicants should check embassy and consulate websites for more detailed information about visa application requirements and procedures, and to learn more about the embassy or consulate’s operating status and services.
Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia, and St. Kitts nationals applying for nonimmigrant visas, including those who are renewing, are required to attend an in-person interview with a consular officer.
* Please note that we may request that an applicant appear for an interview regardless of apparent qualifications for the RIW process.
** You must be OUTSIDE the United States to apply for IW.
Application Process
- Complete your DS-160 application at https://ceac.state.gov/GenNIV/Default.aspx
- Answer the questions and follow the prompts at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-bb/niv . If you qualify for the RIW process, you will be directed to specific instructions for how to proceed with your application
Required Documentation
If the RIW application is accepted for processing without an interview, the following documents, and these documents only, are required.
- Current valid passport for travel to the United States. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the period of stay in the United States (see country-specific agreements for exceptions).
- If you are NOT a citizen of one the countries or territories listed above, you must include proof of your legal residency within one of those countries or territories (residency card, etc.)
- A photocopy of the most recently issued U.S. visa with an expiry date of less than 12 months ago.
- If your name, date of birth, nationality, or place of birth has changed since your prior application, provide evidence of the reason for the change.
- DS-160 application confirmation page (see step one in application above).
- One 5 x 5 cm (2 x 2 inches) color photo taken within the last 6 months. Further details regarding Department of State photo guidelines can be found at: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html
We always recommend that individuals apply for visas well in advance of their proposed date of travel. No assurances regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance. Therefore, final travel plans or the purchase of non-refundable tickets should not be made until a visa has been issued.
