US visa. Photo source: dreamstime.com
The rules for renewing US visas without the need for an interview change significantly, starting September 2, being restricted the categories of people benefiting from this facility, the United States Embassy announced on Tuesday.
Thus, most applicants for the renewal of the non-immigrant visa will have to take additional steps towards the current system.
With the exception of a few cases, all applicants for non-unimagent visas, including children under 14 years old and people over 79 will generally need an interview in person with a consular official, writes news.ro.
According to the US Embassy in Bucharest, starting with September 2, 2025, only the following categories of applicants will be exempted from the visa renewal interview:
- applicants for diplomatic or official visas;
- visa applicants A-1, A-2, C-3 (except for the accompanying or personal employees of the accredited officials), G-1, G-2, G-4, NATO-1 to NATO-6 or TECRO E-1;
- Applicants who renew their visas B-1, B-2, B1/B2 issued with maximum validity or border crossing card for Mexican citizens) expired in the last 12 months and who were at least 18 years old at the time of the previous visa. However, in order to be eligible for an interview exemption, this category of applicants must also meet certain criteria, namely: to submit the application in their country of citizenship or residence; they would never have been refused a visa (unless such a refusal has been overcome or has given up) and have no apparent or potential ineligibility.
The State Department points out that consular officials can continue to request interviews in person, on a case -by -case basis, for any reason.
US visa applicants are advised to consult the sites of embassies and consulates for more detailed information on visa request requirements and procedures and to find out more about the services of the Embassy or Consulate.
The approach is part of the Police of the Trump administration to “increase the vigilance” for limiting illegal immigration. In addition, the United States will require foreign tourists to pay a new “visa integrity fee” of at least $ 250, which will be added to the existing costs for the visa request.
In fiscal year 2024, the US issued almost 11 million non-unimagent visas, according to the figures of the State Department.
On March 25, 2025, the US Department for Internal Security announced that the United States Government suspends the inclusion of Romania in the Visa Waiver program, to ensure “respecting the strict security requirements” imposed by the program.
