DOS Tightens Visa Interview Waiver Criteria
On Feb. 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) posted an update revising the requirements visa applicants must meet in order to be considered for a waiver of the nonimmigrant in-person visa interview.
The updated requirements will result in fewer individuals being eligible for the waiver. For example, individuals who apply for a visa renewal within the same category were previously eligible for the waiver if they applied within a 48-month window of the previous visa stamp's expiration date. According to the new requirements, this window is now only 12 months.
It is not clear what the impetus for the change to the in-person visa interview waiver requirements was, but it is likely related to the Jan. 20, 2025, Executive Order titled “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.” This order requires federal agencies, including DOS, to recommend and implement within 30 days enhanced vetting and screening for all foreign nationals intending to enter or already present in the U.S.
Members of the UIC international community with upcoming plans to renew their visas abroad should read the full DOS announcement and connect with an OIS advisor with questions. In some cases, travel plans will need to be adjusted to accommodate longer visa appointment wait times. Global visa wait times can be viewed by city/post at travel.state.gov.
Questions and links
If you have questions about this announcement, please connect with OIS at ois@uic.edu or (312) 996-3121 during our regular office hours of Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.