The United States Embassy in Manila announced that it will implement policy changes for non-immigrant visa interview waivers in September.
In a social media post on Thursday, the US Embassy stated that applicants for most categories must appear in person.
“All nonimmigrant visa applicants, including applicants under the age of 14 and over the age of 79, will require an in-person interview with a consular officer,” the post reads.
However, certain categories of applicants are exempt from these new requirements:
- Applicants renewing a B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visa or a Border Crossing Card within 12 months of their prior visa’s expiration when the prior visa was issued for full validity at the time of issuance and the applicant was at least 18 years old;
- Applicants for diplomatic- or official-type visas
- Applicants classifiable under the visa symbols A-1, A-2, NATO, TECRO, and certain C-3 and G.
The embassy also reminded applicants that if their visa category qualifies for an interview waiver, they must submit their application by mail or drop it off at the off-site Visa Application Center by August 22.
This will allow enough time for the embassy to process applications before the new policy takes effect.
