• Source:JND
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In a significant policy shift, the US Department of State has announced that beginning September 2, 2025, the rules governing visa interview waivers for non-immigrant visa applicants will become considerably stricter. This move marks a return to pre-pandemic screening standards and is expected to impact millions of travellers globally.

Previously, many non-immigrant visa applicants, especially those under the age of 14 or over 79, were allowed to skip the in-person interview process. However, under the updated guidelines, these broad exemptions will no longer apply. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirmed that most applicants, regardless of age, will now be required to attend in-person interviews at US consulates and embassies.

This change will affect several popular visa categories, including:

B-1/B-2 (Business/Tourist Visas)

F and M (Student Visas) 

H-1B (Work Visas)

J (Exchange Visitor Visas)

Stricter Screening Returns

The policy revision reverses the more lenient visa interview practices introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the US relaxed rules to ease backlogs and minimise travel to consular facilities. According to the Department of State’s July 25 update, the new changes aim to “restore standard screening protocols to safeguard US borders while maintaining efficient visa processing.”

The decision is expected to slow down visa processing times worldwide, especially in countries with large numbers of US-bound travellers such as India, the Philippines, and the UAE. It could also strain the already overloaded visa appointment systems at US embassies.

Applicants seeking to renew their visitor visas may still be eligible for a waiver, but only if they meet all of the US consulate’s specific criteria. Fewer exceptions mean longer wait times and more preparation for interviews, even for returning applicants.

Additional $250 Visa Integrity Fee Coming In 2026

In addition to the waiver tightening, the US has also announced a new USD 250 “visa integrity fee”, set to be implemented in 2026. This security-deposit-style fee, part of former President Donald Trump’s immigration policy package, is aimed at improving compliance monitoring. The fee may be refundable if visa holders adhere to all visa conditions during their stay. It will be adjusted based on inflation and is expected to add another layer of accountability to non-immigrant visa usage.

Starting September 2, applicants for most US non-immigrant visas should prepare for in-person interviews, regardless of age or prior visa history. This return to rigorous vetting marks a significant shift in US immigration policy, with ripple effects anticipated across travel, education, and business sectors.