US to waive in-person interview for H1-B visa applicants in 2022

This will be applicable to other certain non-immigrant visa applicants.

"The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in profound reductions in the department’s visa processing capacity," the state department said in a statement.

"As global travel rebounds, we are taking these temporary steps to further our commitment to safely and efficiently reduce visa wait times while maintaining national security as our priority."

The consular offices temporarily authorized to waive in-person interviews for nearly a dozen visa categories, including Persons in Specialty Occupations (H-1B visas), visas for students, temporary agricultural and non-agricultural workers, student exchange visitors, as well as athletes, artists and entertainers, Reuters reported.

The full list of visa categories in which the appointment now could be waived can be found here https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/important-ann ouncement-on-waivers-of-the-interview-requirement-for-certain-nonimmigra nt-visas.html.

State Department also said it has extended indefinitely the authorization to waive the in-person interview for applicants renewing a visa in the same visa class within 48 months of the prior visa’s expiration, the report said.

The visa clearance process has been resumed with limited capacity and on a priority basis. Applicants are still having month-long wait times because of massive backlogs.