Good News!  Many workers and students serving in India on the US diplomatic missions are exempted from in-person interviews through December 31, 2022. This was confirmed by Ajay Jain Bhutoria, South Asian Community Leader and the Advisor for Asian Americans to the US President Joe Biden, after met with the Assistant Secretary of State for South Central Asia, DonalLu.

Who is Eligible for This Expanded Interview Waiver

You are eligible for the expanded interview waiver if you:

• Have been issued any category of the US visa earlier
• Have never been refused the visa
• Have no indication of ineligibility mentioned in visa
• Are a citizen or resident of India!

Note: This waiver is applicable for workers on H-1, H-2, H-3, and individual L visas; students with F, M, and academic J visas; and people with culture and extraordinary ability (O, P, and Q visas).

The US embassy in New Delhi and consulate offices in Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai will soon release 20,000 additional dropbox appointments for Spring 2022. This will allow qualified applicants to utilize the new interview waiver authority.