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.
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.
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 Servicesfor more information about changing from an interview appointment to interview waiver processing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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B1/B2 Visa Interview Waiver Process
The B1/B2 visa interview waiver process allows eligible applicants to renew their visas without the need for an in-person interview with a consular officer. Here's a breakdown of the concepts mentioned in the article and relevant information based on search result snippets:
Electronic Visa Application:
- Applicants can fill out the electronic visa application at the Visa Information Services website.
- Eligible applicants will be directed to a "virtual queue" for processing.
- Once the case is ready for processing, the applicant will receive an email with instructions on sending the passport and application documents to the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate General [[SOURCE 1]].
Switching to Interview Waiver Process:
- Some applicants with scheduled interview appointments may qualify for interview waiver processing and can switch to this option.
- Eligible applicants will receive instructions via email on how to switch to the interview waiver process [[SOURCE 1]].
Eligibility for Interview Waiver Process:
- To qualify for the interview waiver process, certain criteria must be met, such as being under age 14 or having been fingerprinted by a consular officer during the last visa issuance [[SOURCE 1]].
Processing Time and Passport Return:
- The processing time for interview waiver cases depends on demand and queue placement.
- Passports are typically returned within 2-4 weeks after sending them to the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate General [[SOURCE 1]].
Approval and Follow-Up Interview:
- Approval through the interview waiver process is not guaranteed, as a consular officer may still require an interview.
- If a follow-up interview is needed, appointments are generally available within a few weeks after notification [[SOURCE 1]].
False Information and Ineligibility:
- Providing false information to qualify for the interview waiver process can result in significant delays, as the application will be returned, and an interview with a consular officer will be required [[SOURCE 1]].
Visa Interview Wait Time:
- The current wait time for routine B1/B2 visa interviews is more than one year, and it fluctuates based on demand and processing times [[SOURCE 1]].
In summary, the interview waiver process for B1/B2 visa renewal involves electronic application submission, eligibility criteria, processing times, and the possibility of follow-up interviews if required.
If you have further questions or need additional information, feel free to ask!
