Map of world with text "Important Updates for J1 Scholars and H1B Faculty Staff

The U.S. Secretary of State, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, has authorized consular officers to waive the in-person interview requirement for certain temporary employment nonimmigrant visa applicants who have a petition approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services through the end of 2022. This rule applies to H-1B visa holders and J-1 exchange visitors. The detailed announcement can be viewed here.

What does this mean for J-1 Exchange Visitor and H-1B and O-1 visa holders?

  • For J-1 Exchange Visitors:

Consular officers have the discretion to waive the interview requirement for J-1 visa applicants who were previously issued any type of visa, and who have never been refused a visa unless such refusal was overcome or waived, and who have no apparent ineligibility or potential ineligibility; or first-time J-1 visa applicants who are citizens or nationals of a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and who have previously traveled to the United States via an ESTA authorization, provided they have no apparent ineligibility or potential ineligibility.

  • For H-1B and O-1 visa holders:

This new authorization applies to temporary workers applying for H-1, H-3, H-4, L, O, P, and Q visas who meet certain conditions, including that they are applying for a visa in their country of nationality or residence. Under this authority, consular officers have discretion to waive the visa interview requirement for individual petition-based H-1, H-3, H-4, L, O, P, and Q applicants who were previously issued any type of visa, and who have never been refused a visa unless such refusal was overcome or waived, and who have no apparent ineligibility or potential ineligibility; or first-time individual petition-based H-1, H-3, H-4, L, O, P, and Q applicants who are citizens or nationals of a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), provided they have no apparent ineligibility or potential ineligibility and have previously traveled to the United States using an authorization obtained via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

Because U.S. consulates are not required to implement the new interview waiver policies, actual roll-out of the program will depend on each local consulate. Applicants are encouraged to review the website of the relevant U.S. embassy or consulate for detailed information on what services are currently available, as well as eligibility information and instructions on applying for a visa without an interview.

Travel considerations:

When considering traveling abroad to apply for a visa, with or without an interview, foreign nationals should be aware of existing COVID-related restrictions and requirements. 

Incoming international air travel restrictions and requirements apply. One-day pre-departure COVID-19 testing is required of all international air travelers, and COVID-19 vaccination is required for most nonimmigrants traveling to the United States.

Thank you for your continued support. The ISSC Faculty and Scholar team is available during business hours at issc.scholars@asu.edu and 480-727-7125. We are also located at Discovery Hall, room 172 on the Tempe campus and can arrange for document pick-up.