U.S. to allow waiving of in-person interviews for H-1B, other visas through 2022 By Reuters

(Reuters) -The USA will permit its consular officers to waive in-person interviews for H-1B and different sure non-immigrant visa candidates by means of subsequent 12 months to assist scale back visa wait instances, the State Division stated on Thursday.

“The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in profound reductions within the division’s visa processing capability,” it stated in a press release. “As international journey rebounds, we’re taking these non permanent steps to additional our dedication to securely and effectively scale back visa wait instances whereas sustaining nationwide safety as our precedence.”

The consular officers will now be quickly approved to waive in-person interviews for practically a dozen visa classes, together with Individuals in Specialty Occupations (H-1B visas), visas for college kids, non permanent agricultural and non-agricultural staff, scholar change guests, in addition to athletes, artists and entertainers.

The total listing of visa classes during which the appointment now may very well be waived may be discovered right here https://journey.state.gov/content material/journey/en/Information/visas-news/important-announcement-on-waivers-of-the-interview-requirement-for-certain-nonimmigrant-visas.html.

State Division additionally stated it has prolonged indefinitely the authorization to waive the in-person interview for candidates renewing a visa in the identical visa class inside 48 months of the prior visa’s expiration.

U.S. State Division in March 2020 had suspended all routine visa providers in most international locations worldwide because of the coronavirus outbreak. Whereas the providers have been reinstated with a restricted capability and on a precedence foundation, months-long wait instances for sure visa appointments persist due to an enormous backlog.