The US Department of State recently announced changes to its visa interview waiver policy, which will come into effect from September 2, 2025.

Students aiming to pursue studies in the United States in the upcoming academic year may now encounter extra procedures in the visa application process.

The announcement represents a shift from the interview waiver guidelines issued on February 18, 2025, which had permitted a broader range of applicants to bypass in-person interviews based on factors such as age, visa category, or prior visa history. However, the interview waivers will still be granted in limited situations.