US to Enforce In-Person Visa Interviews for Most Applicants Starting September 2

The United States has implemented stricter guidelines for non-immigrant visa applications, curtailing interview waiver eligibility, particularly for Kenyan applicants. 

These revised procedures, effective immediately, prioritise in-person interviews for most applicants, including minors and senior citizens, marking a significant shift from previous policies. Exemptions are primarily reserved for diplomatic and official travel. Individuals holding A-1, A-2, C-3, G-1 through G-4, NATO-1 through NATO-6, and TECRO E-1 visas, encompassing diplomats, government officials, and international organisation personnel, remain exempt from mandatory interviews.

A limited waiver exists for renewals of full-validity B-1, B-2, or B1/B2 visas. Applicants must have been at least 18 when their previous visa was issued and apply within 12 months of its expiry, specifically in their country of nationality; meaning Kenyan citizens must apply through the US Embassy in Nairobi.

Despite these provisions, consular officials retain discretionary power to mandate interviews, irrespective of waiver eligibility. 

These new measures supersede the Interview Waiver Update issued in February 2025. The US Embassy in Nairobi, in a statement released on 23 July, cautioned against attempts to circumvent visa regulations, warning that fraudulent activities could lead to permanent travel bans. Applicants are urged to regularly monitor the embassy's website for procedural updates.