US Visa Appointments in 2026: Interview Waivers, Home-Country Rule and Social Media Checks

In 2026, most US visa applicants must attend an in-person interview. Since September 2, 2025, the interview waiver (“dropbox”) is mostly limited to people renewing a B-1/B-2 visa or Border Crossing Card within 12 months of expiry. You should also apply in your country of nationality or residence. Students, H-1B workers, fiancé(e)s and, since October 1, 2026, TN and TD applicants must set their social media profiles to public for screening.

Key points

• Interview waivers are now narrow: mainly B-1/B-2 or Border Crossing Card renewals within 12 months, if you were 18 or older when the prior visa was issued. Diplomatic and official visas are also exempt.
• Home-country rule: apply where you are a national or resident. Third-country appointments are largely gone.
• Online presence review covers F, M, J, H-1B, H-4, K, TN, TD and other categories. Profiles must be public.
• 221(g) refusals for administrative processing can take weeks or months.
• Visa bonds of $10,000 to $20,000 apply to B-1/B-2 applicants from about 50 countries, under a permanent rule since August 3, 2026.

Interview waivers: who still qualifies

The State Department announced on July 25, 2025 that, starting September 2, 2025, nonimmigrant visa applicants of all ages, including children under 14 and adults over 79, generally need an in-person interview (State Department).

You may still be considered for an interview waiver if you are:

1. Renewing a B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2 visa or Border Crossing Card, and all of these are true:

• you are renewing a full-validity visa in the same category;
• you apply within 12 months of the prior visa’s expiration;
• you were at least 18 when the prior visa was issued;
• you apply in your country of nationality or residence;
• you have never been refused a visa, unless the refusal was overcome or waived;
• you have no apparent ineligibility.

2. Applying for certain diplomatic or official visas: A-1, A-2, C-3 (with exceptions), G-1 to G-4, NATO-1 to NATO-6, and TECRO E-1.

Even if you meet every condition, a consular officer can still require an interview for any reason. H-1B, F-1, L-1 and other renewals that were previously eligible for the dropbox now generally need an interview.

The home-country rule

Since September 6, 2025, nonimmigrant visa applicants are expected to schedule appointments at a US embassy or consulate in their country of nationality or residence. Before this, many people booked faster appointments in nearby countries. Residence generally has to be lawful and is not just a short visit. Some posts accept limited exceptions for humanitarian or medical reasons. Check the website of the embassy where you plan to apply.

What this means in practice:

• Wait times in your home country are the ones that matter. Book early, especially before student seasons.
• If you live abroad (for example, you work in the UAE but are an Indian citizen), you can usually apply where you live if you have lawful residence there.
• Factor interview waits into job start dates and school start dates.

Social media and “online presence” vetting

The State Department now reviews the online presence of applicants in many categories. Applicants are told to set all social media profiles to “public” so officers can review them (State Department).

Date in effect	Categories added
June 2025	F, M, J (students and exchange visitors)
December 15, 2025	H-1B and H-4 dependents
March 30, 2026	A-3, C-3 (domestic workers), G-5, H-3 and H-4 dependents of H-3, K-1, K-2, K-3, Q, R-1, R-2, S, T, U
October 1, 2026	I (foreign media), TN (USMCA professionals), TD (TN dependents)

Separately, the DS-160 form asks all applicants to list social media identifiers they have used in the past 5 years. Leaving out an account can be treated as misrepresentation.

Practical advice:

• List every platform and username honestly on the DS-160.
• If your category is covered, switch profiles to public before you submit your DS-160 and keep them public until the visa is issued.
• Do not delete accounts or posts to “clean up.” Sudden changes can raise questions. If you are worried about something you posted, talk to an immigration lawyer.

For student and work visa guides, see the F-1 student visa guide and TN visa for Canadians and Mexicans.

221(g) and administrative processing

If the officer cannot finish your case at the interview, you may receive a refusal under INA section 221(g). This usually means one of two things:

• Missing documents: the officer gives you a letter (often a colored sheet) listing what to submit.
• Administrative processing: your case needs more review, such as security checks.

A 221(g) is technically a refusal, but the case stays open. Many are approved later. The State Department says administrative processing times vary by case, and you should not make travel plans until you have your visa (State Department). You can check progress on the CEAC status website with your case number.

With expanded vetting, 221(g) delays have become more common in some categories. Build extra time into your plans.

Visa bonds for B-1/B-2 visitors

A permanent visa bond program took effect August 3, 2026, replacing the 2025-2026 pilot (Federal Register):

• Who: B-1/B-2 applicants from designated countries. About 50 countries are on the list. The State Department can add countries with 15 days’ notice and remove them immediately.
• Amount: $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000, set by the officer. $15,000 is the default.
• How: after the interview, you are told to pay through Form I-352 on Treasury’s pay.gov. A third party may pay.
• Travel rules: you must enter and leave through a commercial airport or CBP preclearance location.
• Refund: the bond is returned if you leave on time or timely file to extend or change status. It is forfeited if you overstay or break the visa’s terms, and the rule lists filing for asylum as a breach.

Nationals of some bond countries are also under the 2026 travel ban, which suspends B visas for them unless an exception applies. More detail is in our B-1/B-2 visitor visa guide.

Fees to budget for

• Visa application fee: $185 for B visas and most non-petition visas such as F and J. Petition-based visas such as H, L, O and R have higher fees set by the State Department.
• Reciprocity fee: some nationalities pay an extra issuance fee, depending on the visa and passport.
• Visa Integrity Fee: H.R. 1 created a $250 fee on visa issuance. The latest reports we found said it was not yet being collected. Check your embassy’s website before your appointment.
• Visa bond: only for B-1/B-2 applicants from designated countries, and refundable if you follow the rules.

Checklist before your visa appointment

1. Confirm your category and whether you are eligible for a waiver. If not, book the earliest interview in your home or residence country.
2. Complete the DS-160 carefully, including all social media handles from the last 5 years.
3. If your category is covered by online presence review, set your profiles to public.
4. Pay the visa application fee and keep the receipt.
5. Bring your passport, DS-160 confirmation, appointment letter, photo (if required) and category documents, such as an I-20, I-797 or job letter.
6. Do not book non-refundable travel until the visa is in your passport.

What to do next

1. Check your embassy’s website for current wait times and local rules. They vary by country.
2. If you get a 221(g), respond quickly with exactly what is requested and track your case on CEAC.
3. If you have a prior refusal, overstay or arrest, talk to a licensed immigration lawyer before applying.
4. Follow our updates page and US hub for new vetting rules.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Rules checked October 11, 2026. Embassy practices can differ, so always confirm with the post where you apply.