On July 25, 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced that, with few exceptions, all nonimmigrant visa applicants, including applicants under the age of 14 and over the age of 79, will require an in-person interview with a consular officer.  This updated policy is set to be implemented on September 2, 2025.

Exempted from this general rule are:

• Applicants classifiable under the visa symbols A-1, A-2, C-3 (except attendants, servants, or personal employees of accredited officials), G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1 through NATO-6, or TECRO E-1.
• Applicants for diplomatic- or official-type visas; and
• Applicants renewing a full validity B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visa or a Border Crossing Card/Foil (for Mexican nationals) within 12 months of the prior visa’s expiration, and who were at least 18 years old at the time of the prior visa’s issuance.

Eligibility for an Interview Visa Waiver for the above-referenced visa categories will depend on the following factors:

• Applying for a visa in their country of nationality or residence
• Having never been refused a nonimmigrant visa (unless such refusal was overcome or waived); and
• Having no apparent or potential nonimmigrant visa ineligibility.

Please note that consular officers may require in-person interviews on a case-by-case basis for any reason.  Several Tarter Krinsky & Drogin clients who have been eligible for visa interview waivers have recently been asked to attend in-person interviews.  Therefore, it seems that the updated policy is already being implemented at various U.S. consular posts.

Additional vital updates concerning visa applications have taken effect in recent weeks.

State Department Initiated Visa Bond Pilot Program for Certain B-1B-2 Visa applicants

• On August 5^th, 2025, the U.S. Department of State initiated a requirement that B-1/B-2 visa applicants for business visitor visas and tourist visas post a $5,000 $10,000 or $15,000 bond in order to obtain their visas.  The temporary final rule published in the Federal Register will become effective August 20, 2025. 
• Currently, the pilot program only applies to nationals of Malawi and Zambia but may include other countries identified by the U.S. government that have overstay rates or weak screening and vetting processes.
• Visas under the Pilot Program will be valid for a maximum of three months and a single entry to the United States.  Full refunds of the bond posted will be issued should the visa holder depart the United States in a timely manner, or timely and appropriately file an extension of stay or change of status request.
• The State Department has identified 19 countries that might be subject to the bond requirement. Visa waiver countries (ESTA applicants), along with nationals of Canada and Mexico, will be exempt from the requirement to post bond.
• Bond determinations would be made at consular posts and entrants to the United States posting bond would be eligible to enter the United States through specific ports, including Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Washington Dulles International Airport.  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/countries-subject-to-visa-bonds.html

In addition, the State Department will soon mandate a $250.00 Visa Integrity Fee applicable to individuals who are required to obtain nonimmigrant visas to the United States. This would include all visitor visa applicants, nonimmigrant visa applicants, and student visa holders. While technically a refund would be available if applicants prove compliance with the terms of the visa, to date the Department of State has not issued instructions on the refund.  The effective date for the Visa Integrity Fee has yet to be issued by the Department.