No in-person interview for H-1B, other visas in '22

New Delhi, December 24

The US will allow waiver of in-person interviews for H-1B and some other non-immigrant visas in 2022.

“The Covid pandemic resulted in profound reduction in the department’s visa processing capacity. As global travel rebounds, we are taking these temporary steps to further our commitment to safely and efficiently reduce visa wait time while maintaining national security as our priority,’’ said the US State Department in a statement.

Other categories for which the in-person interview will be waived are for students, temporary agricultural and non-agricultural workers, student exchange visitors, athletes, artists and entertainers. Visa applications have mounted as the US had in March last year suspended all routine visa services in most countries worldwide due to the Covid outbreak. Services have been restarted but there still is a backlog for certain visa appointments. — TNS