Starting September 2, 2025, significant changes to United States visa policy will take effect, impacting thousands of H-1B and other nonimmigrant visa holders across the country. The U.S. State Department has announced that its long-standing Interview Waiver Program, which allowed many visa holders to renew without attending an in-person interview, will be largely discontinued. This shift means that most applicants, including those on H-1B visas, will now be required to travel to their home countries for consulate interviews in order to complete their renewals.
For years, the Interview Waiver Program had been a popular option for professionals working in the U.S. on nonimmigrant visas, allowing them to avoid the time, expense, and logistical challenges of traveling abroad solely for an interview. Now, according to immigration attorneys, the policy change will force thousands of skilled workers to make international trips that could result in extended absences from their jobs. Legal experts warn that delays are likely, especially as consulates face an increased volume of appointments.
The policy change also affects dependents and younger family members of H-1B visa holders. Applicants under the age of 14 and over the age of 79, who were previously exempt from in-person interviews, will now be required to attend as well. This could complicate travel plans for families and create additional scheduling hurdles, particularly for those whose home countries are far from the United States. Immigration specialists emphasize that for families with school-age children or elderly relatives, the new requirement adds both financial and logistical strain.
In California, where the highest concentration of H-1B visa recipients live and work, the impacts are expected to be especially pronounced. Data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services shows that more than 61,000 H-1B recipients are based in the state, many of them employed by large technology firms in Silicon Valley. Leading companies such as Meta, Apple, and Google are among the top sponsors of H-1B visas nationwide. The requirement to renew visas through in-person interviews abroad could disrupt ongoing projects, product development cycles, and the retention of highly specialized talent in an industry already grappling with competitive hiring challenges.
Legal experts say the change is part of a broader push by federal officials to increase scrutiny of visa applications, citing national security as a motivating factor. Over the last several years, multiple policy shifts have been introduced to increase vetting measures for foreign nationals entering or remaining in the U.S. This includes more thorough review of social media accounts, which attorneys expect to play a larger role in the visa renewal process moving forward. While social media questions were already part of standard applications, officials have indicated that they intend to examine these accounts more closely as part of the interview process.
The elimination of the interview waiver is expected to create a surge in appointment requests at U.S. consulates around the world. Immigration attorneys are advising clients to plan ahead and begin the renewal process as early as possible, especially if they anticipate traveling during peak periods such as the holiday season. The availability of interview slots will likely be limited, and visa holders who fail to secure an appointment in advance could face long delays abroad before being able to return to the United States.
For many in Silicon Valley and other tech hubs, this policy change is more than a bureaucratic adjustment; it could have real economic consequences. Extended employee absences, project delays, and increased operational costs may follow as companies navigate the new requirements. With such a high concentration of foreign-born talent driving innovation in the Bay Area, industry leaders and immigration advocates are watching closely to see how the change affects productivity and competitiveness.
Experts also caution that the new rules could cause a backlog of applications and further slow the processing timeline. Whereas renewals under the interview waiver program could often be completed within weeks, the additional steps of traveling abroad, attending an interview, and awaiting clearance could extend the process significantly. For workers whose roles require continuous availability, even a few extra weeks of absence could impact career momentum and business operations.
As the September 2 implementation date approaches, visa holders and their employers are preparing for the logistical challenges ahead. Many are working to update travel policies, prepare application materials well in advance, and budget for the additional expenses involved. For those affected, careful planning will be essential to minimize disruption and ensure a smooth return to work once the interview process is complete.
