Renew My Visa
On this page:
Overview
Eligible airlines crew members and applicants traveling for tourism or business to the United States may, under some circumstances, renew their visas without appearing at the U.S. Embassy for an interview. If you meet the Interview Waiver qualifications, you will be able to drop off your visa application at an ARAMEX, courier office location.
Qualification
If you can answer “yes” to all the following questions, you may qualify for the Interview Waiver Program and will not need to schedule an appointment for an interview at the U.S. Embassy.
**Please note: if you answer YES to the below questions but are found to be ineligible for Interview Waiver service, your application will be placed on hold and you will be required to schedule a visa interview. Please read all eligibility criteria carefully. If applying as a family, each family member must meet eligibility criteria.
Eligibility Criteria for Interview Waiver Applicants:
- I have a previous visa of the same visa type that I wish to renew;
- My prior visa is still valid or has expired within the last 48 months;
- I am a Citizen or Permanent Resident of Singapore or hold any one of the following pass:
Employment / Dependent / Long term / Student
- I have in my possession my passport with my previous visa from the same visa category, which is not lost or stolen;
- My most recent visa was issued on or after my 14th birthday;
Burmese Applicants for all visa category: Please complete the Additional Information Form , print and submit it together with the interview waiver confirmation and the DS-160 form. You must answer EVERY question. Incomplete/incorrect forms will be returned and you will be required to schedule a new interview appointment. If the answer to a question is “none,” please write “none.” Do not leave it blank!
Renewing all other visa categories requires applicants’ presence at the interview with the exception of those under age 14 or above 79. Please refer to this page for more information.
If you qualify for Interview Waiver submission, you will receive an Interview Waiver confirmation letter containing a document checklist. Print one copy of the Interview Waiver confirmation letter to be submitted with your application. Drop off your passport and the listed documents mentioned on the confirmation letter at one of the two Aramex locations. Fees may apply at Aramex Changi outlet. DO NOT SUBMIT ORIGINAL BIRTH CERT/ MARRIAGE CERT OR SCHOOL DOCUMENTS.
Please Note: Using the Interview Waiver service does not guarantee visa issuance. In some cases, you may be required to appear for a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy. If you submit an incomplete and/or inaccurate application, or if you do not meet the criteria listed above, you will be requested to collect back your documents and you will be asked to schedule an interview. You should submit your application well in advance of your planned travel, to allow for the possibility that a visa interview will be necessary.
Renew FMJ
Overview
The Department of State has waived the in-person interview requirement for nationals of eligible countries applying for F, M, and academic J (students, professors, research scholars, short-term scholars, or specialists) visas, subject to certain conditions. This program is valid through December 31, 2023.
Qualifications
You may be eligible to apply for a U.S. visa without in person interview based on the following categories:
F – Students (academic)
M – Students (vocational)
J – Exchange Visitor (academic, professors, research scholars, short term scholars or specialist)
Visa applicants who may qualify are those who have prior visa of any visa class and who have not been refused in their most recent visa application. First-time and renewing F, M, and academic J visa applicants who are citizens or nationals of a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) may also use the Interview Waiver Program even when applying outside their consular district.
However, they must show proof of prior travel to the United States on ESTA by providing the ESTA approval notice and US entry stamp in their passport.
If you qualify for Interview Waiver submission, you will receive an Interview Waiver confirmation letter containing a document checklist. Print one copy of the Interview Waiver confirmation letter to be submitted with your application. You must pay your Form I-901 SEVIS fee before submitting your documents. For more information about SEVIS, please check this website.
Drop off your passport along with the listed documents mentioned on the Interview Waiver confirmation letter at one of the two Aramex locations. Fees may apply at Aramex Changi outlet.
Please remember to include:
- Interview Waiver Confirmation Letter;
- Current and old passports with previous U.S. visa;
- DS-160 confirmation page;
- One (1) photos, size 2”x2” inch on glossy paper, in colour, in white background, un-retouched, taken within the last six (6) months, in neutral facial expression, and with both eyebrows and ears exposed. Photo guidelines can be accessed at https://www.ustraveldocs.com/sg/sg-niv-photoinfo.asp
PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT THE SAME PHOTOGRAPH THAT APPEARED ON YOUR PREVIOUS VISA. Failure to submit a valid photograph will delay the processing of your visa application;
- For F1 and M1 applicants, an approved Form I-20 from your U.S. educational institution; Proof of Financial Statement-e.g.- bank statements for last 3 months /Scholarship letter.
- For academic J1 (students, professors, research scholars, short-term scholars, or specialists) applicants, an approved DS-2019 from your U.S. program sponsor. Submit Original copy for signature.
Please be sure that all the above items are included in your Interview Waiver application. Failure to include all requested items – including a new photo, DS-160 application and Original DS 2019- will result in delay in process.
Please Note: Using the Interview Waiver service does not guarantee visa issuance. In some cases, you may be required to appear for a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy. If you submit an incomplete and/or inaccurate application, or if you do not meet the criteria listed above, you will be requested to collect back your documents and you will be asked to schedule an interview. You should submit your application well in advance of your planned travel, to allow for the possibility that a visa interview will be necessary.
H/L/O/P/Q
Interview Waiver Program for Certain Petition-based Visas – H1, H3, H4, Individual L, O, P, and Q
The Department of State has waived the in-person interview requirement for nationals of eligible countries applying for certain petition based temporary employment nonimmigrant visa categories, including: H1, H3, H4, Individual L, O, P, and Q visas, subject to certain conditions. This program is valid through December 31, 2023.
Note: Blanket L1/L2 visa applicants do not qualify for the expanded interview waiver program.
First-time and renewing H1, H3, H4, Individual L, O, P, and Q visa applicants must have previously traveled to the United States using ESTA authorization or a visa in order to be eligible for an interview waiver.
Visa applicants do not qualify if their most recent visa application has been refused.
If you qualify for Interview Waiver submission, you will receive an Interview Waiver confirmation letter containing a document checklist. Print one copy of the Interview Waiver confirmation letter to be submitted with your application.
Drop off your passport along with the listed documents mentioned on the Interview Waiver confirmation letter at one of the two Aramex locations. Fees may apply at Aramex Changi outlet.
Please remember to include:
- Interview Waiver Confirmation Letter;
- Current and old passports with previous U.S. visa;
- DS-160 confirmation page;
- One (1) photos, size 2”x2” inch on glossy paper, in color, in white background, un-retouched, taken within the last six (6) months, in neutral facial expression, and with both eyebrows and ears exposed. Photo guidelines can be accessed at https://www.ustraveldocs.com/sg/sg-niv-photoinfo.asp
- Proof of prior travel to the United States. Examples include ESTA authorization, entry stamps, or previous visas;
- Approved I-797 (or Labor Conditions Application for H1B1);
- Marriage or birth certificates for all dependent applications.
Please be sure that necessary documents are included in your Interview Waiver application. Failure to include all requested items – including a new photo, DS-160 application and relevant supporting documents according to visa type will result in delay in process.
Please Note: Using the Interview Waiver service does not guarantee visa issuance. In some cases, you may be required to appear for a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy. If you submit an incomplete and/or inaccurate application, or if you do not meet the criteria listed above, you will be requested to collect your documents and you will be asked to schedule an interview. You should submit your application well in advance of your planned travel, to allow for the possibility if a visa interview is required.