US Visa: In-Person Interviews Now Mandatory for All Applicants, Including Children and Seniors
Getting a US visa in 2025 won’t be a walk in the park—not even for toddlers or grandparents.
Over the years, there was a group of people who had a privilege: they were not required to visit the US Embassy to take in-person interviews: children under the age of 14 and seniors over the age of 79. But no longer is it so. There has been a significant change and this is what you need to know.
A Sharp Turn in US Visa Interview Policy
The US visa interview is mandatory in 2025 even to the youngest and oldest applicants. This change will take full effect on September 2, 2025, shaking up the long-standing Interview Waiver process.
If you were counting on avoiding that visit to the consulate by just renewing an expired visa that had been recently renewed, then you should sit down and listen to this.
What’s Changing – At a Glance
Let’s break it down so you don’t need a law degree to understand it:
- All applicants, regardless of age, now need to appear in person—unless you meet very specific exemptions.
- The Interview Waiver Program, also called Dropbox, has been significantly narrowed.
- Applicants whose B1/B2 visa expired less than 12 months ago will no longer qualify for the waiver.
- Children under 14 and seniors over 79—who were earlier exempt—will now generally need to attend
- Only a few diplomatic or government-related visa categories remain exempt.
The bottom line: If you’re planning a US trip for business, leisure, or family, assume you’ll need an interview.
Who’s Still Off the Hook?
Let’s not panic yet. There are some limited exceptions, like:
- Diplomats (A, G, NATO visa holders)
- Renewals of full-validity B1/B2 visas within 12 months, with zero past refusals
- Applications made in your home country
- Applicants with no potential ineligibility concerns
But here’s the catch: even if you qualify, the consular officer can still ask you to come in. So keep that blazer ironed.
Why Is This Happening?
The U.S. State Department aims to tighten visa scrutiny, ensure security, and improve transparency. But it also means:
- Longer wait times
- Fewer slots
- More paperwork
- Higher costs—B1/B2 visa fees may rise by almost 148%
So yes, visiting Uncle Sam now demands more time, effort, and patience.
And if you thought this was going to be simple—well, let’s just say, “even toddlers now need a visa interview outfit.”
What About B1/B2 Visa Renewals?
This part is tricky:
- From September 2, B1/B2 visa holders whose visas expired less than 12 months ago are no longer exempt from interviews.
- If your visa expired over a year ago, you’re definitely in the queue.
- Student (F-1) and work visa (H-1B) applicants are also affected. Even a recently expired visa won’t help.
So yes, that old visa isn’t your golden ticket anymore.
Conclusion: What This Means for You
With the US visa policy update in July 2025, applicants must be ready for a more hands-on, face-to-face visa journey. Planning ahead, checking your eligibility, and preparing documents in advance will save you from unnecessary stress—or worse, rejection.
Need clarity on where you stand? Or whether your child, parent, or spouse qualifies for an exemption? VisaExperts can help you decode the rules and simplify the process. From application prep to interview guidance, we support applicants every step of the way.
Get the right help, right from the start.
Because when it comes to US visas, the only thing worse than missing your interview—is realizing you never scheduled one.
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