Skift Take
The updated visa waiver interview authority will help cut the backlog for non-immigrant visa interviews, making it easier for travelers trying to visit the U.S. in 2024.
The U.S. State Department will expand its policy of waiving in-person interviews for select visa applicants next year, a spokesperson confirmed to Skift. The policy was set to expire on December 31, and the travel industry had been pushing for an extension.
Called the visa interview waiver authority, the policy allows consular officers to waive the in-person interview requirement for certain low-risk visa applications. The State Department conducts the policy in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security.
The State Department estimates that these new authorities could at least double the interview waiver-eligible applicant pool compared to the temporary authorities set to expire.<