Interview Waiver Program 

Important Notice:

  • The use of the Interview Waiver Program does not guarantee visa issuance.
  • In some cases, applicants may still be required to appear in person for a visa interview at the Embassy.  
  • Emergency appointment requests for the Interview Waiver Program are not available.

On this page:

Overview

If you fall under one of the categories below, you qualify for the Interview Waiver Program:

  1. If you are a B-1 (Temporary Business Visitor), B-2 (Temporary Visitor for Pleasure), or B1/B2 (Business/Tourism) visa applicant and you are younger than 14 years old, or 79 years or older, you qualify for the Interview Waiver Program.
    OR
  2. If you previously had a B-1 (Temporary Business Visitor), B-2 (Temporary Visitor for Pleasure), B1/B2 (Business/Tourism), C1/D (Transit/Crew), F-1 (Student), or M-1 (Vocational or Nonacademic Student) visa within the last 48 months, you may qualify for the Interview Waiver Program provided that you meet all of the qualifications listed below. If you do not, click here to request an in-person interview.

Qualifications

If you are an applicant who is 79 years old or older, or applying for a child who is younger than 14 years old at the time of application, you are eligible for the Interview Waiver Program, provided that the applicant can answer “yes” to all of the following questions.

  1. I am applying for a B1/B2 (Business/Tourism) visa.
  2. I am physically present in Laos.
  3. I was not born in or do not hold a passport from Cuba, North Korea, Syria, Sudan, or Iraq.
  4. I answered “no” to all of the security and background questions on the Form DS-160.
  5. I have never been denied entry to the United States.
  6. I have never been refused a U.S. visa, or if I was refused a U.S. visa before, I was subsequently issued that same visa type.

Additional requirements for children under 14 years old

  • One of the child’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s) must have a valid B1/B2 (Business/Tourism) visa at the time of the child’s application.
  • Neither parent(s) nor legal guardian(s) is a Legal Permanent Resident of the United States or a U.S. Citizen.

If you are renewing for a visa type that you have previously been approved for, a B-1 (Temporary Business Visitor), B-2 (Temporary Visitor for Pleasure), B1/B2 (Business/Tourism), C1/D (Transit/Crew), F-1 (Student), or M-1 (Vocational or Nonacademic Student) visa, you may qualify for an exemption to the interview requirement.

If you can answer “yes” to all of the following questions, you may qualify for our Interview Waiver Program.

  1. I am renewing a B-1 (Temporary Business Visitor), B-2 (Temporary Visitor for Pleasure), B1/B2 (Business/Tourism), C1/D (Transit/Crew), F-1 (Student), or M-1 (Vocational or Nonacademic Student) visa that is currently valid or has expired within the last 48 months (four years). This policy is in effect until further notice. All other visa classes must make an appointment for an in-person interview.
  2. I am physically present in Laos.
  3. I was not born in or do not hold a passport from Cuba, North Korea, Syria, Sudan, or Iraq.
  4. My previous visa was not lost/stolen or revoked.
    • If yes, you need to schedule an in-person interview.
  5. My name, surname, date/month/year of birth, and nationality on my current passport match my previous visa.
    • If your name and/or surname is different from your previous visa, a copy of official name and/or surname change certificate with English translation is required.
    • If your date/month/year of birth and/or nationality does not match with your previous visa, an appointment in-person interview is required.
  6. My previous visa was issued when I was age 14 or older, and my 10 fingerprints were scanned at the previous interview.
  7. I am renewing the same type of visa as my currently valid or prior visa.
    • For C1/D (Transit/Crew) visa renewal, applicant must submit a recent employment letter.
    • For F-1 and M-1 student visas, applicant must submit Original signed I-20 and SEVIS fee confirmation page
    • For those under the age of 14, applicant must submit a copy of his/her birth certificate and a copy of one, or both of his/her parents’ or legal guardians’ valid B1/B2 (Business/Tourism) visa.
  8. I am renewing a U.S. visa in the Consular district of my habitual residence. I understand that I may still be required to appear in person for a visa interview at the Embassy.
  9. My most recent visa does not have an annotation such as “Clearance Received”, “Waiver Granted”, or “Fingerprints Waived”.
  10. My most recent visa is in my current passport, or it is in my old passport which I will submit with my application.
  11. I have never been denied entry to the United States.
  12. I have never been refused a U.S. visa, or if I was refused a U.S. visa before, I was subsequently issued that same visa type.
  13. I answered “no” to all of the security and background questions on the Form DS-160.

If you do not qualify for an interview exemption, click here to schedule an appointment for an in-person interview.

How to Apply

If you meet the requirements above, please follow these steps.

Step 1:
Complete the Form DS-160. You MUST complete a new DS-160 for each application. All information must be accurate. After submitting your Form DS-160, you will not be able to edit or modify your information again. The call center cannot help you complete your Form DS-160.

Note: You need access to a printer to complete this process.

Step 2:
Create a profile and pay the visa application processing fee.

The visa fee page lists the visa types and fees in U.S. dollars and Lao Kip (LAK). For detailed payment options, please click here. After you pay the fee, please keep your proof of payment.

Step 3:
Log into your profile by using the same username and password to answer questions and print out Interview Waiver Confirmation Letter with UID and QR code.

You will need the following items to continue:

  • Your passport number,
  • The visa fee receipt number (Click here if you need help finding the fee receipt number), and
  • The 10-digit barcode number from your DS-160 Confirmation page.

Step 4 (Final Step):
Compile all your documents and book an appointment to drop off the documents at the U.S. Embassy in Vientiane. When you drop off your documents, the Embassy will give you a pickup slip, indicating when to pick up your passport and visa.

What do I Need to Submit?

Please submit only the required documents included in the below checklist. Although we will attempt to return any original documents we receive, the Embassy is not responsible for any loss of additional unrequired documents.

  1. The Interview Waiver Confirmation Letter with UID and QR code.
  2. Passport: Your passport must have at least two blank pages for the visa and validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States.
  3. Old passport with most recent valid U.S. visa or expired within the last 48 months (if applicable).
  4. DS-160 Confirmation page with barcode, completed and submitted online.
  5. Two photos (5x5 cm or 2x2 in, in color with white background, taken within the last six months, no digital enhancement or alteration, no glasses, color contact lens, or hat), submitting unqualified photos may delay the visa process, and
  6. Visa fee receipt.
  7. If applicable, a copy of official name and/or surname change certificate with English translation.

Additional document for C1/D (Transit/Crew) visa renewal

  • Recent employment letter

Additional document for F and M visa renewal

  • Original Signed I-20 or DS-2019
  • SEVIS fee confirmation page
  • Complete academic transcripts from U.S. schools (if applicable)

Children Under 14

  • A copy of a valid birth certificate, or legal custody document(s) with English translation
  • Copies of parents’ passport biographic pages or national ID cards
  • Copies of parents’ current and/or previous U.S. visas

FAQs for Interview Waiver Program

What is the Interview Program?

  • The Interview Waiver Program offers the opportunity to obtain a visa without attending an interview. (Note: The Consular section reserves the right to require an interview of any applicant in order to confirm his or her continued eligibility for a U.S. visa).
  • Most cases are processed and returned within 2 weeks.

What kind of photo should be included?

  • The photo must be 5cm x 5cm taken on a white background, without eyeglasses, with your ears visible
  • The photo must have been taken within the last six months.
  • Detailed information on the photo requirement may be found at: https://ustraveldocs.com/la/la-niv-photoinfo.asp.

What if I don’t have my old passport and visa?

  • If you are between 15-78 years old and you do not have your old visa, you will not be eligible for Interview Waiver Program. You will need to make an appointment and come for an interview.

I qualify for the Interview Waiver Program, but my child has never had a visa before. Can I submit my child’s application along with mine?

  • If your child has not had a visa before, you will need to make an appointment for your child and come in with your child for the interview.
  • If your child is 14 years old or younger, your child also qualifies for the Interview Waiver Program.

I want to apply for the Interview Waiver Program, but need my passport urgently for travel to another country – what should I do?

  • You should wait until you return from your trip to submit your documents.

Should I submit other supporting documents such as my family book, diploma certificate, and birth certificate?

  • No, you should not. You should only submit in the required documents listed on the website.

What might speed up the time it takes for my renewal to be processed?

  • Make sure your renewal packet is complete. Check here for documents needed.
  • Upload a good quality digital photo that meets the requirements.
  • Print the DS-160 confirmation page with a laser printer for better barcode quality.
  • If you have several previous U.S. visas in different old passports, submit only your last previous visa.
  • Be sure to include your Interview Waiver Confirmation Page. This is proof that you have paid the visa application fee.