Washington: In the midst of increasing concern Covid-19 Surge, US on Thursday (local time) for a while dropping direct interview requirements for several work visas – H-1B, L-1 and O-1 categories.
The State Department dropped direct interview requirements for several categories of work visas in 2022 to facilitate the publication of visas, as a stretch of Covid-19 pandemic into the third year, the department announced.
Applicants for Visa H-1B, L-1 and O-1 prevailing from abroad will not be asked to conduct interviews directly at the US consulate, usually the final step before the visa is issued. These categories represent the most commonly used visa type companies to attract high-skilled talents from abroad.
Consular officers are now temporary authorized, until 31 December 2022, to override direct interviews for certain individual non-immigrant work visas and their qualification derivatives in the following categories: People in special jobs (H-1B visa), training participants or special education visitors (H-3 Visa), Transfer Transfer Intracompany (visa), individuals with extraordinary abilities or achievements (O visas), athletes, artists, and entertainers (P visa), and participants in the international cultural exchange program (Q visa), Add release of the US Ministry of Finance.
In addition, the State Secretary, Antony Blinken has extended the ability of the current consular officers to rule out direct interviews, until December 31, 2022, for other categories of other non-immigrant visas: Temporary Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Workers (H. -2 Visas), Students (F and M Visa), and visitors to the student exchange (academic J visa).
We are aware of many contributions to international visitors to our community and campus. Finally, authorization to release direct interviews for applicants who renewed the visa in the same visa class within 48 months after the previous visa expiration has been extended without limits, add release.
Pandemic Covid-19 resulted in a reduction in department visa processing capacity. As a global travel rebound, the US takes the temporary steps for further commitment to reduce visa waiting time safely and efficiently while maintaining national security. The determination was made with the approval of the Homeland security partner department.
However, embassies and consulates may still require direct interviews based on cases per case and depend on local conditions.
“We encourage applicants to examine embassy and consulate sites for more detailed information about this development, as well as the current status and operation services,” added the release.