September 22, 2021

DOS Authorizes F M and J Academic Visa Interview Waivers Through End of 2021

As an additional measure aimed at reducing visa application backlogs and freeing up available resources at U.S. Embassies and Consulates, the United States Department of State (“DOS”) will allow consular officers to waive in-person interviews for F, M, and J academic visas. The new DOS policy, which will run until the end of the year, authorizes consular officers to adjudicate F, M. and J visa applicants without an in-person interview who were previously issued a visa in the same visa category and have never been refused a visa, unless such refusal was overcome or waived, and who have no potential ineligibility.

The inclusion of adding F, M, and J academic visas to the list of nonimmigrant visas that can be adjudicated without an interview follows earlier DOS announcements which expanded certain non-immigrant visa interview waivers an additional 12 months followed by another policy extending nonimmigrant visa interview waivers to 24 months.

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Copyright 2021. This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. This article may be changed with or without notice. The opinions expressed in this article are those of Enterline and Partners only.

Categories: Non-immigrant Visa

Tags: DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application, F-1 Visa, J-1 visa, M-1 Visa, U.S. Department of State (DOS)

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