By the end of 2021, the F, M, and academic J visa categories will be expanded so that applications from students, instructors, and scholars can be assessed without an in-person interview in their consular district of residence, with certain exceptions.
This expansion is based on the recent announcement of the U.S. Department of State, reflecting its commitment to making international students a priority.
Key Takeaways:
- The U.S. State Department made an important announcement about the F, M, and academic J visa application process.
- The announcement concerns international students in their visa application without an interview.
- The State Department has also provided other visa application guidelines.
Under local conditions, consular officers may now waive the visa interview requirement for F, M, and academic J visa applicants who were previously issued any type of visa. This also applies to those who have never been refused a visa unless such refusal was overcome or waived, and those who have no apparent ineligibility or potential ineligibility.
Moreover, first-time F, M, and academic J visa applicants who are citizens of a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), provided they have no potential ineligibility or apparent ineligibility, also get their visa interview requirement waived.
This applies only to non-U.S. citizens who are nationals of eligible countries. That’s why the State Department encourages individuals to learn more about the details on country eligibility and necessary procedures on the relevant embassy or consulate website.
While citizens from VWP countries whose prior visa was issued when they were younger than 14 years old may need to submit biometric fingerprints, they can still be approved for the waived visa interview.
The State Department has also instructed international students seeking to apply for a new F-1 or M-1 visa to check the status of visa services at the nearest embassy or consulate. Student applicants who are found to be otherwise qualified for an F-1 or M-1 visa will automatically be considered for a National Interest Exception (NIE) to travel.
Meanwhile, international students traveling with J-1 visas have been instructed to contact the nearest embassy or consulate before receiving an NIE.
The State Department encourages applicants to check the website of the relevant U.S. embassy or consulate to learn more about visa applications without an interview and to confirm the level of services currently offered.
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