The US Embassy has clarified the requirements for renewing B1/B2 tourist and business visas, confirming that not all applicants will need to appear for an in-person interview. This addresses the recent uncertainty that all visa applicants might be required to attend an interview with a US consular official.
Michelle Angulo, spokesperson and press attaché for the diplomatic mission, explained the specific conditions under which applicants remain eligible for an interview waiver:
• Previous visa validity: The previous visa must have been issued with 10 years of validity at the time it was initially issued.
• Expiration window: The renewal application must be submitted within 12 months of the previous visa’s expiration date.
• Applicant’s age: The applicant must have been at least 18 years old when the previous visa was issued.
The Embassy also stated that a deferred implementation of a change to the non-immigrant visa interview waiver policy will allow the US Embassy in Santo Domingo to process the majority of applications already submitted for a waiver under the previous procedures.
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El Nacional
2 October 2025