The U.S. visa interview for minors in India generally requires children to appear in person, including newborns and teenagers. The U.S. Embassy in India reiterated the rule as State Department interview-waiver standards remain narrower than in earlier years.

The U.S. Embassy in India has reminded parents that minor applicants generally must appear in person for a U.S. visa interview, including newborns and teenagers approaching age 18. Sending only a parent or guardian does not replace the child's required appearance when an interview is scheduled.

U.S. Embassy reminds families about minor visa interviews

In a “Visa Friday” message shared on Friday, August 14, 2026, the U.S. Embassy in India emphasized that age does not by itself exempt a child from appearing before a consular officer. The embassy specifically referred to applicants ranging from newborns to 17-year-olds.

The clarification is important for families who may assume infants and very young children can automatically be represented by a parent during the interview process.

Interview waiver rules became narrower

The reminder follows broader State Department changes to nonimmigrant visa interview-waiver rules.

Effective Wednesday, October 1, 2025, nonimmigrant visa applicants under age 14 and over age 79 generally became subject to an in-person interview requirement. Limited exemptions remain for certain diplomatic and official visa categories and some qualifying adult visa renewals.

Consular officers also retain authority to require an in-person interview on a case-by-case basis even when an applicant might otherwise qualify for a waiver.

What parents applying in India should expect

Parents arranging a U.S. visa appointment for a child in India should plan for the minor applicant to attend whenever an interview is required. This includes families applying for visas for infants, school-age children and teenagers.

Applicants should check the instructions issued for their specific visa category and U.S. embassy or consulate before the appointment, because procedures and document requirements can depend on the type of visa application.

Families should verify requirements before appointments

The embassy's reminder reinforces that parents should not assume a child's age automatically provides an interview exemption. Families should verify current appointment instructions before traveling to a consular post and ensure the minor applicant is available to appear when required.

The State Department continues to allow only limited interview-waiver categories, while consular officers retain discretion over whether an in-person interview is necessary.