Washington D.C., July 28, 2025 — The United States government has announced a major policy shift that will tighten the eligibility criteria for interview waivers in visa applications, effective from September 2, 2025.
Under the new directive issued by the U.S. Department of State, fewer applicants will qualify for waivers that previously allowed certain individuals to renew their visas without attending a consular interview. The revised policy aims to strengthen national security protocols while streamlining the visa process for high-priority categories.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy revealed that the adjustment will affect nonimmigrant visa categories, including B1/B2 (business and tourism), F (students), and H (temporary workers). Although waivers will still be granted in some cases—such as for applicants under 14 years or over 79 years—the discretionary authority to approve waivers has been significantly reduced.
“The new measures are intended to ensure thorough vetting of all applicants while maintaining efficiency in processing,” the embassy said in a statement.
Previously, interview waivers were widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic to manage backlog and reduce crowding at embassies and consulates. With global travel normalizing, U.S. authorities say it’s time to recalibrate.
Many Nigerian travelers—especially students, professionals, and frequent business visitors—may now be required to schedule interviews, even for renewals. Travel agencies and immigration consultants have been advised to update their clients accordingly and expect longer processing timelines.
Visa applicants are encouraged to check the U.S. embassy website for updated guidelines before submitting their applications to avoid delays.