DOS ISSUES TEMPORARY RULE WAIVING IN-PERSON APPEARANCES FOR CERTAIN REPEAT IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICANTS.

On December 13, 2021, the Department of State (DOS) issued a temporary final rule that provides flexibility for consular officers to waive in-person appearances and in-person oath requirements for certain repeat immigrant visa applicants.

Immigrant visa applicants who meet the following criteria, may not need to make another in-person appearance before a consular officer for an interview, execution of their application, or oath:

(1) the immigrant visa was issued on or after August 4, 2019;

(2) the applicant did not travel to the United States on the immigrant visa; and

(3) the applicant seeks and remains qualified for an immigrant visa in the same classification as the expired immigrant visa.

Consular officers still have discretion to require applicants that meet these requirements to appear in-person. This temporary rule is in effect from December 13, 2021 through December 13, 2023.