UPDATE DECEMBER 23, 2021: Authorization to waive in-person visa interviews extended through December 31, 2022.
The U.S. Department of State announced that consular officers have been authorized through the end of 2021 to waive the in-person interview requirement for certain F and “academic J” (students, professors, research scholars, short-term scholars, or specialists) visa applications. Consular officers have the discretion to waive the visa interview requirement for applicants who:
- were previously issued any type of visa
- have never been refused a visa unless such refusal was overcome or waived
- have no apparent ineligibility or potential ineligibility
In addition, first-time F and academic J visa applicants who are citizens or nationals of a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) may also have the in-person visa interview waived.
Read the State Department announcement here.
