The US Division of State introduced sweeping adjustments to its visa interview waiver coverage final month. Efficient September 2, 2025, candidates for US non-immigrant visas, together with these making use of for H-1B visas and people beneath the age of 14 and over 79, should seem for in-person interviews with a consular officer.
Introduced on July 25, the newest resolution reverses the February 18, 2025 coverage. Moreover tightening the eligibility standards, it additional limits candidates who can skip visa interviews and solely supplies exceptions for a couple of classes.
What does it imply for the H-1B visa class?
This non-immigrant visa class permits employers in the US to rent international employees in speciality occupations.
After the newest adjustments, these making use of beneath the H-1B visa class will now not be broadly exempted from the requirement of in-person interviews. Whether or not making use of for the primary time or renewing an H-1B visa, the revised guidelines would require candidates to look earlier than a consular officer.
In the end, this might end in longer ready durations and elevated scrutiny. The choice rolls again the exemptions that had been granted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic interval, permitting a number of functions to skip the in-person interviews.
Additionally Learn: US visa interview waiver guidelines to change into stricter from September 2: Right here’s what adjustments for candidates
How you can put together for in-person interviews?
In keeping with Boundless Immigration, the H-1B visa interview is held on the US Embassy or consulate within the dwelling nation of the applicant. The consular officer will take the interview to evaluate the applicant’s {qualifications}, eligibility and intent.
Throughout this course of, the candidates should stay ready for documentation assessment, background info, particulars relating to their employment in addition to efficient communication and English proficiency.
A number of the generally requested questions throughout H-1B visa interviews embrace:
- Academic background: Highest academic qualification, the place and what did you research, how do your academic {qualifications} relate to the job provide and others.
- Skilled expertise: Previous working expertise, how your expertise prepares you for the brand new job position within the US and why you resigned out of your final job.
- Job particulars: Right here, candidates should stay conscious of their job tasks within the US, their new job title, wage, info relating to the employer and different particulars.
- Basic questions: Candidates might be requested questions like: Why is their presence required within the US? Why do they want to work within the nation? Will they return to their dwelling nation after working within the US?
Additionally Learn: Who’s eligible for US visa interview waiver? Key adjustments defined amid stricter guidelines
A number of the key paperwork required embrace the unique I-797 approval discover, labor situation software, letter from the employer, academic certificates and extra.
FAQs:
1. What to not do throughout an H-1B visa interview?
Candidates ought to attempt to clearly point out their job profile and keep away from utilizing company jargon.
2. How lengthy does an H-1B visa interview final?
It relies on individual to individual. Normally, it takes place for round 10 minutes.
3. When does the up to date coverage come into impact?
It is going to begin from September 2, 2025.
