On July 25, 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced sweeping changes to the U.S. visa interview process, set to take effect globally—including at consulates in the UAE, India, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt—starting September 2, 2025. These changes mark a sharp shift from the COVID-era flexibilities, making the U.S. visa interview process stricter and reducing the number of people who can skip in-person interviews.
The new policy will affect millions of applicants and their families, as well as employers and universities that depend on international talent. The most important change is that almost all applicants, regardless of age or visa type, must now attend an in-person U.S. visa interview. This includes children under 14 and adults over 79, who were previously exempt. Only a few diplomatic and official visa categories, and a very limited group of B-1/B-2 tourist/business visa renewals, will still be eligible for interview waivers.
What’s Changing and Who Is Affected
Before September 2, 2025, many people could renew their U.S. visas without an interview, especially if they were under 14, over 79, or applying for certain visa types. The “Dropbox” program allowed eligible applicants to submit documents without appearing in person, saving time and travel costs. Now, with the new rules, these waivers are almost entirely gone.
Key changes include:
- Interview waivers eliminated for almost all nonimmigrant visa categories. This means people applying for H-1B (specialty occupation workers), H-4 (dependents), L-1 (intracompany transferees), L-2 (dependents), E-1/E-2 (treaty traders/investors), O-1 (extraordinary ability), F-1 (students), F-2, M-1, J-1 (dependents, students, exchange visitors), TN (NAFTA professionals), and others must now attend an in-person U.S. visa interview.
- No more age-based exemptions. Children under 14 and adults over 79 must also appear for interviews.
- Renewal applicants must attend interviews. Even if you have a strong history of U.S. visas, you must go in person unless you qualify for a very limited B-1/B-2 waiver.
- First-time applicants still need interviews. This part remains unchanged.
Who Can Still Get an Interview Waiver?
The only groups who may still skip the interview are:
- Diplomatic and official visa holders: Categories like A-1, A-2, C-3 (except attendants/servants), G-1 to G-4, NATO-1 to NATO-6, and TECRO E-1.
- Some B-1/B-2 tourist/business visa renewals: But only if all these are true:
- You are renewing within 12 months of your last visa’s expiration.
- You were at least 18 years old when your last visa was issued.
- You are applying in your country of nationality or residence.
- You have no prior visa refusals (unless those refusals were later overcome or waived).
- There is no sign of ineligibility.
- The consular officer agrees to grant the waiver (it’s not automatic).
Why Is This Happening?
The U.S. Department of State says the main reasons are security and fraud prevention. According to their official statement, “These changes are necessary to strengthen the integrity of the U.S. visa process and ensure that all applicants are properly screened.” The Trump Administration has pushed for these stricter rules, along with a new “visa integrity fee” that will be announced soon.
How Will This Affect Applicants in the UAE, India, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt?
These countries have some of the busiest U.S. consulates in the world. With the new rules, everyone—students, workers, families, and even young children—must appear in person for their U.S. visa interview. This will likely lead to:
- Longer wait times for interview appointments, especially in high-demand countries like India, UAE, and the Philippines.
- Higher costs for applicants, who must pay for travel, accommodation, and possibly take time off work or school.
- Delays in visa issuance, which could affect students starting classes, professionals beginning new jobs, and families planning travel.
- More stress and planning for families, since dependents must also attend interviews.
Step-by-Step Process for U.S. Visa Applicants (After September 2, 2025)
If you are planning to apply for a U.S. visa after September 2, 2025, here’s what you need to do:
- Complete the DS-160 online visa application. Make sure your confirmation number matches the appointment system record. You can find the DS-160 form on the U.S. Department of State website.
- Schedule a visa interview appointment at the U.S. consulate or embassy in your country of residence.
- Prepare all required documents, including your DS-160 confirmation, appointment confirmation, passport, previous visas, and any supporting paperwork.
- Attend the in-person interview at the scheduled time and place. This applies to all applicants, including children and elderly, unless you are in a diplomatic/official or qualifying B-1/B-2 renewal group.
- Pay all required visa fees, including the new visa integrity fee (details to be announced).
- Wait for visa processing and passport return. Processing times may be longer due to more interviews and possible staffing shortages.
What About the New Visa Integrity Fee?
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA) has authorized a new “visa integrity fee,” but details about the amount and when it will start are still pending. Applicants should be prepared for higher costs in the near future.
Background: How Did We Get Here?
During the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2023), the U.S. government allowed many people to skip in-person interviews to reduce crowding and speed up processing. This helped students, workers, and families get visas faster and with less risk of exposure to illness. In 2024 and early 2025, these waivers started to shrink. By February 2025, only renewals within 12 months were eligible, and first-time applicants had to attend interviews again. Now, with the July 25, 2025 announcement, almost all waivers are gone.
What Do Experts and Stakeholders Say?
- Security advocates support the change, saying it will help prevent fraud and improve vetting of applicants.
- Business and academic leaders are worried. They say the new rules will make it harder to bring talent to the United States 🇺🇸, slow down student admissions, and hurt international cooperation.
- Applicants and families face more costs, longer waits, and more uncertainty about travel plans.
A global mobility expert warns, “Employers and universities must now plan much further ahead. Even a simple visa renewal will take as much time and effort as a first-time application. This could disrupt hiring, student enrollment, and family travel.”
Operational and Logistical Impact
The new policy will have several practical effects:
- Longer queues at consulates: With more people needing interviews, wait times for appointments will grow, especially in busy countries like the UAE, India, and the Philippines.
- Higher expenses: Applicants must pay for travel, hotels, and possibly lose income if they need to take time off work.
- Delays in getting visas: Students may miss the start of classes, workers may have to delay job starts, and families may have to change travel plans.
- More planning needed: Human resources departments and international travelers must treat renewals just like first-time applications, gathering all documents and preparing for interviews.
- Family stress: Dependents, including young children and elderly parents, must also attend interviews, making travel and scheduling more complicated.
Case Example: Indian Family in Dubai
Consider a family from India living in the UAE. The parents are on H-1B and H-4 visas, and their two children are under 14. In the past, the children could skip the interview, and the parents could use the Dropbox program for renewals. Under the new rules, all four must travel to the U.S. consulate, attend interviews, and possibly wait weeks for appointments. This means more time off work and school, higher travel costs, and more stress.
What Should Applicants and Employers Do Now?
- Apply for renewals before September 2, 2025, if possible. This is the last chance to use current waivers.
- Check your local U.S. consulate or embassy website for updates on appointment availability and any special instructions.
- Plan for longer timelines and higher costs for all U.S. visa applications after September 2, 2025.
- Communicate these changes clearly to employees, students, and family members who may be affected.
Summary Table: Who Must Attend In-Person Interviews (From September 2, 2025)
| Visa Category | In-Person Interview Required? | Notes/Exceptions |
|---|---|---|
| H-1B, H-4, L-1, L-2, O-1, E-1, E-2, F-1, F-2, J-1, M-1, TN | Yes | No waivers, even for renewals or age |
| B-1/B-2 (Tourist/Business) | Usually Yes | Waiver possible only for renewals within 12 months, age 18+, no refusals, consular discretion applies |
| Diplomatic/Official (A, G, NATO, TECRO) | No (waiver allowed) | Most diplomatic/official categories exempt |
| Children under 14, adults over 79 | Yes | Age-based exemptions eliminated |
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
COVID-19 pandemic allowed many to skip in-person interviews
Waivers started to shrink
Only renewals within 12 months were eligible for waivers
U.S. Department of State announced changes to visa interview process
New visa interview rules take effect globally
The U.S. government may adjust consular staffing or procedures to handle the increased number of interviews, but delays are likely in the short term. The visa integrity fee will add to the cost, but details are not yet available. Policy changes could happen again, depending on political decisions and feedback from consulates and applicants.
Where to Find Official Information
For the latest updates and detailed instructions, applicants should visit the U.S. Department of State’s official visa page. This site provides news, forms, and links to country-specific embassy and consulate websites. For technical issues, such as problems with the DS-160 form, use the official U.S. visa appointment system or contact your local embassy.
Practical Tips for Applicants
- Start early. With longer wait times, begin your application process as soon as possible.
- Gather all documents. Double-check requirements for your visa category and bring originals and copies to your interview.
- Prepare for the interview. Practice answering questions about your travel plans, work, or study in the United States 🇺🇸.
- Watch for updates. Policies can change quickly. Check official websites regularly.
- Budget for extra costs. Include travel, accommodation, and the new visa integrity fee in your planning.
Implications for Communities and Employers
The new U.S. visa interview rules will have a wide impact:
- Students may face delays starting school in the United States 🇺🇸.
- Employers must plan for longer hiring timelines and possible disruptions to international assignments.
- Families will need to coordinate travel and interview schedules for all members, including children and elderly relatives.
- Universities may see fewer international students if delays and costs become too high.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these changes represent the most restrictive U.S. visa interview policy in recent years. The rollback of COVID-era flexibilities means that applicants, employers, and families must adjust to a more demanding and time-consuming process.
Conclusion: What Should You Do Now?
If you need a U.S. visa from the UAE, India, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, or Egypt, act quickly to take advantage of any remaining waivers before September 2, 2025. After that date, expect longer waits, higher costs, and more steps for every application. Stay informed by checking the U.S. Department of State’s visa page and your local consulate’s website. Careful planning and early action will help you manage the new requirements and avoid unexpected delays.
Learn Today
Interview Waiver → An exemption allowing some visa applicants to skip the in-person interview process.
DS-160 → The online nonimmigrant visa application form required for U.S. visa applicants.
B-1/B-2 Visa → Temporary U.S. visa for business (B-1) or tourism (B-2) purposes.
Visa Integrity Fee → A new fee authorized to fund visa process security and fraud prevention measures.
Dropbox Program → A method allowing eligible applicants to submit visa documents without an interview.
This Article in a Nutshell
Starting September 2, 2025, the U.S. enforces stricter visa interviews worldwide, ending most waivers. Applicants of all ages and visa types must attend in-person interviews, increasing wait times, costs, and challenges for millions seeking visas, impacting students, workers, and families reliant on international travel and cooperation.
— By VisaVerge.com
