The Department of State recognizes the positive impact of travel to the United States by foreign student and temporary work visa holders on the U.S. economy and is committed to facilitating nonimmigrant travel and further reducing visa wait times.
We are pleased to announce that the Secretary of State has made a determination extending the authority of consular officers to waive in-person interviews for certain nonimmigrant visa categories through December 31, 2023.
Consular officers are authorized, through December 31, 2023, to continue to waive in-person interviews on a case-by-case basis for certain first-time and/or renewing applicants.
These categories of visas are for Temporary Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Workers (H-2 visas), Students (F and M visas), and Academic Exchange Visitors (academic J visas), and certain beneficiaries of approved individual petitions for nonimmigrant temporary worker visas in the following categories: Persons in Specialty Occupations (H-1B visas), Trainee or Special Education Visitors (H-3 visas), Intracompany Transferees (L visas), Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement (O visas), Athletes, Artists, and Entertainers (P visas), and Participants in International Cultural Exchange Programs (Q visas); and qualifying derivatives. These waivers are authorized by a determination of the Secretary of State with the concurrence of the Department of Homeland Security.
The authorization to waive the in-person interview for applicants renewing a visa in the same classification within 48 months of the prior visa’s expiration was previously authorized to remain in place until further notice.
These interview waiver authorities have reduced visa appointment wait times at many embassies and consulates by freeing up in-person interview appointments for other applicants who require an interview.
Nearly half of the almost seven million nonimmigrant visas the Department issued in Fiscal Year 2022 were adjudicated without an in-person interview.
We are successfully lowering visa wait times worldwide, following closures during the pandemic, and making every effort to further reduce those wait times as quickly as possible, including for first-time tourist visa applicants.
Embassies and consulates may still require an in-person interview on a case-by-case basis and dependent upon local conditions. We encourage applicants to check embassy and consulate websites for more detailed information about this development, as well as current operating status and services.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of State
That’s good news. But I have to complain about the consular officer in Bénin republic because she automatically denies visa to any young person applying for whichever type of Visa regardless of them qualifying for it or not. As long as you are young, no matter your reason of travel, you won’t get the visa. Adversely she gives it to all the old people whatever their reason might be. I know what I’m talking about because she denies me non immigrant visa twice and I know many who are in the same situation. I wish someone would do something about it. Please audit on that and you will notice it , it’s not fair.
That’s okay Habibou Zibo,there’s nothing to see there anyways except modern slavery,crime,cops that shoot first & ask questions last & people who are deeply in debt but you won’t know it by how they look & act (pretend)…The place is an actual dump,if you need to travel somewhere that’s classy try the Nordic countries,visit the Swiss Alps (breathtaking)…The US is not what it once was,it’s a giant dump,don’t waste your money on trash or to get that garbage visa
The waiver is not for all categories. So I encourage you to read again before you go ahead and be denied.
What about Ghanaians?
Folks the fact that there’s no in person visa interview doesn’t guarantee you automatic visa
Why are Africans on st lucia news websites? When ypur ancestors sold us we earned the right to cleannwater air andveasier migration. There is nothing to see here. You people are africans. Getting another passport does not change that because somewhere on that same passport you have to sau the country you were born . And caribbean women prefer their men. They expect them to cook and clean and not sla them if they cant fetch a glass of water. Thank you.
Whoever wrote this I’m with you 💯 %.
The US State Department is corrupt to the core. Specially in Afrika.
My F1 visa got cancelled last month visa officer did not share any reason for that they do not have nay specific criteria for visa issuance they give visas as per their choice no matter what!!
Leave them stinking American Visas alone it just isn’t worth the money time or travel…. Americans got a nasty selfish stuck up attitude they should be the ones applying for caribbeans visas and rejected without even giving reason or half of the application fee in return… This is just a ploy to get more money into the USA. Also Bajans (barbados people) are biased towards other west indians who apply. Even the PM is biased to say…. Rihanna the half dressed sluttish ambassador will rescue them, with a Rikers thug called ASAP rocky… Take them out a the ghetto but cah take ghetto out a dem… Shows you money does not create class.