The United States Embassy says that the US Department of Homeland Security has temporarily expanded consular officers’ ability to waive the in-person interview requirement for individuals applying to renew their nonimmigrant visas in the same classification.
This is good news because the US Embassy’s nonimmigrant visa unit in Santo Domingo remains closed for routine visa services. Until now, only those applicants whose nonimmigrant visa expired within 24 months were eligible for an interview waiver.
This policy is in effect until 31 December 2021.
The US Embassy says that the change will allow consular officers to continue processing specific nonimmigrant visa applications while limiting the number of applicants who must appear at a consular section, thereby reducing the risk of Covid-19 transmission to other applicants and consular staff.
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31 March 2021