The surge in COVID-19 cases has led to the temporary suspension of personal interviews for H1-B and L1 Visa. The United States Department has decided to temporarily stop the personal interview requirement for a few visa categories in 2022.
The COVID-19 Omicron variant or third wave has made its way where applicants don’t have to undergo a personal interview at the US consulate. The in-person interview is the last step before the VISA is issued. The elimination of the last round has eased the obtaining of a VISA.
The categories for which the State Department has dropped the interview requirements are concerned with retaining high skilled talent from abroad. The US Consulate officers have received the authority to allow the applicants without in-person interviews and provide them petition based non-immigrant work visas in some specific categories such as
- In-Person Specialty Occupation (H-1B Visas)
- Trainee or Special Education Visitors (H-3 Visas)
- Intracompany Transferees (L Visas)
- Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievements (O Visas)
- Athletes, Artists, and Entertainers (P Visas)
- Participants in International Cultural Exchange Programs (Q Visas)
- Temporary Agricultural and Non-Agricultural workers (H-2 Visas)
- Student (F and M Visas)
- Student Exchange Visitors (Academic J Visas)