The U.S. Visa Appointment booking system is showing new questions based on updated guidance on the interview waiver process. The new interview waiver guidance, issued in 2023, went into effect on January 1, 2024. Below we highlight the new questions shown in the online application portal for the US Visa Appointment Booking system.

New Question 1: Checking Nationality & Residence

The first question is a new question that asks for more information about the applicant’s citizenship or lawful resident status. The first criteria to be eligible for an interview waiver is the country resident status. This is a new question, not previously shown. The question is shown as “Are you a citizen of country or a lawful resident of country?” If the applicant replies yes, the next question asks for previous U.S. visa issuance information.

New Question 2: Information About Previous U.S. Visa Issuance

With the new guidance, information about previous U.S. visas issued, excluding the B1/B2 or B2, is required. This question follows the previous question noted above and is another new question. The question is shown as “Do you have a previous U.S. visa in any visa class (except B1/B2, B1 or B2) issues on or after your 14th birthday?”

If the applicant responds yes, the next question asks if that previous visa is still valid. If the applicant responds with ‘no’, then the next new question is shown.

New Question 3: Previously Issued Visa Expiration Date

Based on the new guidelines, information about the applicant’s previously issued U.S. visa expiration date is required. The question is shown as “Did your previous visa (except B1/B2, B1, or B2) expire within the last 48 months?” The question further clarifies that documents should be submitted a minimum of seven days prior to the 48-month expiration.

As previously asked, the next general requirement question asks if the previously issued U.S. visa was lost, stolen, canceled, revoked, or marked CWOP. This is an existing question with no changes. However, if the user replies “No” to the question, a new question is asked.

New Question 4: Visa Refusals in the Last 48 Months

Per the new guidance, one of the mandatory requirements is to not have a U.S. visa rejection in the past and if that occurred, was it eventually approved. The question is shown as “Have you been refused a U.S. visa within the last 48 months?”

If the user answers “no” to this question, the decision as to eligibility for interview waiver is shown. However, if the user answers “yes” the next new question is asked.

New Question 5: Previous Visa Refusal Status

The updated interview waiver guidance requires either no previous visa refusal or a refused visa was eventually approved. The question is shown as “Did your most recent application result in you being issued a visa?” If the applicant responds “yes”, a confirmation statement is shown stating eligibility for the interview waiver. If not, the user is not eligible.

If the applicant qualifies for the interview waiver, referred to as a dropbox appointment, the following confirmation is shown as “Congratulations! You qualify for the interview waiver. You will need to schedule an appointment to visit a document drop-off location to submit your documents…”.

If you have questions about the interview waiver process or any U.S. immigration-related issue, contact us at ILBSG. As always, we work with our clients in their specific situations to ensure they get the right advice for their specific situations.

interview waiver