The U.S. government has announced a significant update to its nonimmigrant visa policy. Effective immediately, nationals and citizens of the following countries, including those seeking to renew a previously held visa, are now required to attend an in-person interview with a consular officer:
Afghanistan, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad, Cote D’Ivoire, Cuba, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Haiti, Iran, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
This change means that applicants from these nations can no longer use the Interview Waiver process (often referred to as “dropbox”). If you are a citizen or national of one of these countries, you must now schedule an in-person visa interview, regardless of where you are applying.
Key Takeaways:
- This policy applies to all nonimmigrant visa applications from nationals and citizens of the listed countries.
- The Interview Waiver program is no longer available for these individuals.
- All applicants must schedule an in-person appointment with a consular officer.
- Applicants for diplomatic and official visas from these countries should follow normal diplomatic channels for updated guidance.
We have also received unconfirmed reports that dropbox appointments (except for B1/B2 applicants renewing within one year from date of expiry or prior visa) scheduled for September 2, 2025 or later will not be honored. If applicants have already rescheduled their appointment, it is not clear at the time of this writing if the fee will be honored.
Our team at Murthy Immigration Services is closely monitoring these developments and will keep you updated. This official update can be found here.