State Department Ends Pandemic-Era Visa Waiver Program, Mandates In-Person Interviews Worldwide

The U.S. Department of State has significantly curtailed the nonimmigrant visa interview waiver program, effective September 2, 2025, requiring most applicants—including children, senior citizens, foreign workers, and students—to attend in-person interviews at U.S. embassies or consulates.

The policy shift, detailed in updates from the Bureau of Consular Affairs, reverses pandemic-era expansions that allowed certain applicants to renew visas like B-1/B-2 (tourist/business), F-1 (student), H-1B (specialty occupation), and others via mail or “dropbox” without appearing in person. The change aims to enhance national security through thorough vetting, but it has sparked concerns about longer wait times and logistical challenges for applicants worldwide. The decision aligns with the Trump administration’s broader focus on stricter immigration enforcement, though officials emphasize it targets procedural efficiency rather than specific groups.  READ MORE...https://viconsortium.com/vi-travel/virgin-islands-state-department-ends-pandemic-era-visa-waiver-program--mandates-in-person-interviews-worldwide