Families must anticipate transfers and new documentary preparation for immigration procedures
As of October 1, 2025, the in-person consular interview is once again a general requirement for the vast majority of US visa applicants.
This measure includes children under 14 years of age and those over 79, who previously did not have to interview for the visa.
The automatic age exemption has been removed and only specific exceptions defined by visa category or renewal type remain.
Who is exempt from the visa interview
Applicants classifiable under visa symbols A-1, A-2, C-3 (except assistants, servants or personal employees of accredited officials), G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1 through NATO-6, or TECRO E-1
Diplomatic or official visa applicants
Applicants renewing a B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visa or a Border Crossing Card/Foil (BBBCC/BBBCV for Mexican applicants) within 12 months of the expiration of the previous visa, when the previous visa was issued with full validity at the time of issuance and the applicant was at least 18 years of age
Applicants renewing an H-2A visa within 12 months of the expiration of the previous visa, when the previous visa was issued with full validity at the time of issuance and the applicant was at least 18 years of age.
To be eligible for the interview waiver, applicants must also meet certain criteria, including that he or she:
apply in your country of nationality or habitual residence (except applicants for diplomatic visas and certain official visas)
have never been rejected for a visa (unless such rejection has been overcome or waived)
and has no apparent or potential ineligibility.
It is essential to consult the updated information of the corresponding consulate before starting any procedure.
Until the entry into force of the new rule, those under 14 and over 79 years of age could obtain the visa without attending an interview, covered by an automatic exemption.
With the modification, both children and older adults are treated as independent applicants and, as a general rule, must appear in person before the consulate.
There are, however, current exceptions to the interview obligation.
For example, visa renewal must be carried out within 12 months of expiration, the previous visa must have been issued with full validity at the time, and the applicant must be over 18 years of age.
What do I do if I want to obtain a visa for my child?
Families with children and older adults should anticipate that, except in rare circumstances, they will be asked to complete the interview.
It is essential to review the specific requirements published by the local consulate, prepare the relevant documentation and anticipate the necessary waiting times and transfers.
Among the frequent doubts after this change, the validity of the measure stands out: the State Department update, dated September 18, 2025, comes into force on October 1, 2025 and replaces all previous guidelines.
To confirm if any exception applies, the applicant's documentation must be carefully reviewed and the criteria officially released by the assigned consulate should be consulted.
Although some exemptions persist for defined cases, each procedure requires individualized attention, since the final decision on a consular interview always corresponds to the local authority and can be applied even when all the exception requirements are met.
0 Comments