The U.S. Department of State announced that consular officials may refuse face-to-face interviews for certain nonimmigrant visas until December 31, 2022. Namely:
- H-1 Visa: Persons in Specialty Occupations
- H-3 Visa: Trainee or Special Education Visitors
- L visa: Intracompany Transferees
- O Visa: Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement
- P Visa: Athletes, Artists, and Entertainers
- Q Visa: Participants in International Cultural Exchange Programmes.
Consular officers may, if necessary, refuse a personal interview with visa applicants:
- H-2 Visa: Temporary Agricultural and Non-agricultural Workers
- F and M Visas: Students
- J Visa: Student Exchange Visitors.
However, embassies and consulates may request a face-to-face interview on an individual basis.
The state department said, “it recognizes the many contributions of international visitors to our communities and campuses and the positive impact of temporary work visa holders on the US economy and is committed to facilitating nonimmigrant travel and reducing visa wait times.”
Also, the compulsory interview is canceled when renewing a visa of the same class within 48 months after the expiration of the previous visa.
Source: business-standard
