The US Embassy in Bucharest is drawing attention to changes starting Tuesday regarding visa renewal without the need for an interview, with the categories of people benefiting from this facility being restricted.
With the exception of these few cases, all non-immigrant visa applicants, including children under 14 and individuals over 79 years old, will generally need an in-person interview with a consular officer.
Starting on September 2, 2025, only the following categories of applicants will be exempt from the visa renewal interview:
– Applicants for diplomatic or official visas;
– Applicants for A-1, A-2, C-3 visas (excluding companions or personal employees of accredited officials), G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1 to NATO-6, or TECRO E-1 visas;
– Applicants renewing B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visas issued with maximum validity or expired Border Crossing Cards (for Mexican citizens) in the last 12 months and who were at least 18 years old at the time of the previous visa approval. However, to be eligible for an interview waiver, this category of applicants must also meet certain criteria: submit the application in their country of citizenship or residence; have never been refused a visa (except where such a refusal has been overcome or waived) and have no apparent or potential ineligibility.
The State Department emphasizes that consular officers may still request in-person interviews on a case-by-case basis, for any reason.
Applicants are advised to consult embassy and consulate websites for more detailed information on visa requirements and application procedures, as well as to learn more about the embassy’s or consulate’s operational status and services.
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This initiative is part of the Trump administration’s policy to increase vigilance to limit illegal immigration. Additionally, the United States will require foreign visitors to pay a new „visa integrity fee” of at least $250, which will be added to the existing visa application costs.
In fiscal year 2024, the US issued nearly 11 million non-immigrant visas, according to State Department figures.
On March 25, 2025, the US Department of Homeland Security announced that the US Government is indefinitely suspending Romania’s inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program to ensure „strict security requirements” imposed by the program are met.