On this page you will find the most common questions we receive about interview waiver processing. We suggest that you look for your question below, browse through the Nonimmigrant Visas section of our website or the Visa Information Services website.
How do I apply for B1/B2 visa through the interview waiver process?
When you fill out the electronic visa application at the Visa Information Services website (https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ec/niv/users/sign_in), you will answer several questions about your situation. If you are eligible to apply through the interview waiver process, the electronic system will direct you to a “virtual queue” where your case will wait until it is ready for processing. Once the case is ready for processing, we will send you an email with instructions about how to send your passport and application documents to the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate General.
I am renewing my B1/B2 visa and have already scheduled an interview with a consular officer. Can I switch to the interview waiver process?
Some applicants who have already scheduled a visa interview may qualify for interview waiver processing and may want to select the interview waiver processing option. Between April 4-5, we will contact by email those applicants who have a scheduled interview appointment and appear to be eligible for the interview waiver process. We will give those applicants instructions about how to switch to the interview waiver process if they choose. We ask for your patience until then.
If you believe you may be eligible for the interview waiver process and do not receive an email from us by April 5, you can contact the Visa Information Services for more information about changing from an interview appointment to interview waiver processing.
What happens if I try to switch to the interview waiver process and learn I’m not eligible? Will I lose my previous interview appointment?
CAUTION! If you attempt to switch to the interview waiver process and learn you are not eligible, you will lose your previous appointment and will need to reschedule a new appointment. This could result in a significant delay in your visa processing time. Before attempting to switch to the interview waiver process, we urge you to carefully review all of the above requirements and ensure that everyone in your applicant group qualifies for the interview waiver process.
My minor child is applying for a B1/B2 visa. How do I know if he qualifies for the interview waiver process?
CAUTION! To qualify for the interview waiver process, your child must:
- Be under age 14;
OR - Have been fingerprinted (10 prints) by a consular officer when her last visa was issued.
If your child is currently over age 14 and was age 13 or under at the time of the last visa issues, she likely does not qualify for the interview waiver process and must schedule an interview with a consular officer.
How long will it take to process my B1/B2 renewal through the interview waiver process?
Interview waiver processing times will depend on the demand for interview waiver services. We do not currently have an estimated processing time for interview waiver cases. Depending on the demand for interview waiver processing and your place in the interview waiver queue, the amount of time it will take to process your visa through the interview waiver process could be longer or shorter than if you scheduled an interview. We will provide interview waiver processing time updates on our website as soon as that information is available.
If I’m renewing my B1/B2 visa through the interview waiver process, how long will the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate General keep my passport?
Once you receive a notification that your application is ready for interview waiver processing, you will send your passport and application documents to the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate General following the instructions you receive. In most cases, we will return your passport to you within 2-4 weeks.
Is my B1/B2 visa guaranteed to be approved if I renew through the interview waiver process?
No. A consular officer will review your application and may determine an interview is required. If required, you will receive instructions about how to schedule a follow-up interview.
If a consular officer determines my B1/B2 application requires an interview, will I have to go to the back of the line and wait more than a year for an appointment?
If a consular officer determines you qualify for the interview waiver process but still need an interview to gather additional information, we will send you information about scheduling an IWP “follow-up” interview with a consular officer. In general, follow up interview appointments will be available within a few weeks after we notify you that your case requires an interview with a consular officer.
What happens if I incorrectly answer questions in order to qualify for the interview waiver process, but a consular officer subsequently determines that I didn’t actually qualify for the IWP process?
CAUTION! If you inadvertently or intentionally provide false information in order to qualify for the interview waiver process, we will return your application to you and instruct you to schedule an interview with a consular officer, resulting in significant delays to your visa processing time.
What if I’m renewing a B1/B2 visa that doesn’t meet the interview waiver requirements above? Is it possible to still renew the visa without an interview?
Unless you meet all the interview waiver requirements lister above, you are not eligible for interview waiver processing and will be required to schedule a visa interview.
How long is the current wait time for a visa interview?
The current wait time for routine B1/B2 visa interviews is more than one year. The wait time fluctuates based on the demand for visas and our processing times.
If your question is not answered, you can contact Visa Information Services at https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ec/niv/information/contact_us.
