The United States has officially ended its long-running visa interview waiver programme, making in-person interviews mandatory for nearly all non-immigrant visa categories starting today. The move marks a significant tightening of U.S. visa procedures and will directly impact millions of applicants worldwide, including students, professionals, and tourists from India.
Key Changes
Impact on Applicants
The policy shift is expected to increase visa appointment wait times at U.S. consulates and embassies worldwide. Students applying for F-1 visas, skilled professionals under the H-1B programme, and business travellers will now face longer processing times and stricter documentation requirements.
Immigration experts have warned that the end of waivers could create administrative bottlenecks, particularly in high-demand countries such as India, where consular sections already struggle with heavy caseloads.
What Applicants Should Do
Why the Change Matters
The U.S. government has justified the decision as a measure to strengthen security vetting and ensure uniformity in visa issuance. However, universities, businesses, and immigration advocates fear that the additional red tape could deter international talent and slow cross-border mobility.