State Department Restores H-2A Visa Interview Waivers

On September 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced that H-2A workers renewing visas may once again qualify to skip the in-person interview at U.S. consulates. Read the official announcement here.

Here’s what you need to know: 

• Effective Date: The change takes effect October 1, 2025 and is intended to relieve pressure on visa processing and reduce delays for H-2A employers who depend on on-time worker arrivals.

• Major Win for Employers: Earlier this year, the State Department moved to end interview waivers. Some posts, like Monterrey (Mexico), continued waivers temporarily, but others — including South Africa — did not, causing the risk of serious delays and late worker arrivals.

• New Rule: Returning H-2A workers are now eligible for interview waivers if the prior visa expired within 12 months, was issued at full validity, and the applicant is otherwise qualified.

• H-2B Not Covered:  Workers in non-agricultural sectors must still attend in-person interviews until further notice.

Remember, consular officers may still require in-person interviews on a case-by-case basis for any reason despite this recent policy change. Therefore, it is imperative that H-2A employers are fully prepared to file their upcoming job orders on the 75th day for the purpose of mitigating any delays associated with such interviews to the extent the consular officer decides to conduct them.