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Some visa categories, including A-1, A-2, C-3, G-1 to G-4, NATO-1 to NATO-6, and TECRO E-1, may still qualify for interview waivers.
US Visa rules change from September 2, 2025 (Representative image)
The United States have made it mandatory for the majority of non-immigrants to appear for immigration. The new rules change from September 2, and they will include those applying for H-1B and F-1 visas. The “Dropbox” interview waiver program, which came into effect during COVID, will come to an end.
Earlier, children under 14 and adults over 79 were exempt from in-person interviews; however, as the new rule comes into effect, these age groups are also required to attend interviews unless they meet specific exemption criteria.
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Limited Exceptions For Some Visa Categories
Some visa categories, including A-1, A-2, C-3, G-1 to G-4, NATO-1 to NATO-6, and TECRO E-1, may still qualify for interview waivers. Additionally, applicants renewing a full-validity B-1/B-2 visa within 12 months of expiration may be eligible for a waiver under specific conditions.
Increase Time Period
This will also increase the wait for visa appointments, as there will be a larger number of interviewees. You are advised to schedule interviews well in advance.
Visa Application Fee Increased
Visa application fees have recently increased across several countries and visa categories, significantly impacting travellers, workers, and migrants. In the United States, fees for tourist (B-1/B-2), student, work, and humanitarian visas have risen sharply.
For those applying for a tourist visa in the US, the fee has increased from around Rs 15,300 to Rs 20,300. With the addition of a new mandatory USD 250 (Rs 20,500 approx) “Visa Integrity Fee” starting in 2026, the total cost for Indian applicants could rise to nearly Rs 40,800.
Work permits, asylum applications, and student visas have also become costlier—for example, the H-1B visa filing fee has gone up to about Rs 65,000, and premium processing now exceeds Rs 2.3 lakh in some cases.
About the Author
Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can follow her…Read More
Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can follow her… Read More
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