Myanmar Nationals can renew their U.S. Visa without an interview!

U.S. Embassy in Burma Announces Interview Waiver Program for Visa Renewals

January 27, 2025 – Myanmar nationals seeking to renew their U.S. non-immigrant visas may now be eligible to do so without an in-person interview, according to an announcement from the U.S. Embassy’s Visa Section.

The Interview Waiver program currently allows individuals who previously held C1, D, C1/D (crew member visas), B1, B2, B1/B2 (business/tourist visas), and F1 (student visas) to apply for renewal without attending an interview.

Eligible applicants can check the complete requirements and apply through the U.S. Embassy’s official website at mm.usembassy.gov/visas.

VISA UPDATE

Non-immigrant Visas

You may now check the Interview Waiver information here. If you qualify, you do not need to take an appointment to apply for a visa.

Currently, we are accepting Interview Waiver applications for the following applicants:

1. Crew members (C1/D) from international airlines and cruise/ships and students (F-1) visa holders whose prior visa, in the same category they are applying for, expired within the last 48 months.
2. B1, B2, B1/B2 visa holders whose prior visa, in the same category they are applying for, expired within the last 12 months.

If you have any questions about Non-Immigrant Visas, please do not hesitate to contact us: NIVInquiryRangoon@state.gov

Immigrant Visas

The United States provides immigrant visas based on family ties, employment, adoption, special immigrant categories, and the diversity visa.  For more information, please visit the State Department website.

Already started the Immigrant Visa process?  Answers to many questions can be found using our self-service tools.  Please log into https://ceac.state.gov   for your most current case status.

If you have any questions about Immigrant Visas, please do not hesitate to contact us:

IVRangoon@state.gov

The provided information outlines eligibility criteria for applying for a U.S. visa without requiring an interview (known as an “Interview Waiver“) for specific applicants in Burma (Myanmar). The key aspects are:

1. Eligibility Based on Visa Type:
   • Crew Members (C1/D) and Students (F-1): They are eligible if their prior visa expires within the last 48 months.
   • Business/Tourist (B1, B2, B1/B2): They are eligible if their prior visa expires within the last 12 months.
2. Conditions for Eligibility:
   • A prior visa must have been issued when the applicant was 14 or older, with fingerprints collected.
   • The new application must be for the same type of visa as the previous one.
   • Applicants must be citizens or residents of Burma and physically present during the application.
   • Prior visa must not be marked as “clearance received” or previously refused.
   • The expired visa must be submitted as part of the application.

Implications

The interview waiver simplifies and speeds up the visa renewal process for eligible individuals by bypassing the interview requirement. This is especially beneficial in regions where U.S. consulates may have limited capacity or face disruptions.

• For Applicants:
  • Reduces the time, effort, and travel costs of attending an in-person interview.
  • Encourages timely renewal of visas within the specified eligibility periods (48 or 12 months post-expiration).
• For U.S. Consulates:
  • Eases administrative burden by focusing resources on new applicants and cases requiring closer scrutiny.
  • Streamlines processing for repeat applicants who meet strict criteria.

Example

Scenario: A Myamar citizen, “Cingno,” is a student who studied in the U.S. on an F-1 visa, which expired 6 months ago. Cingno wants to renew her F-1 visa to continue her studies.

• Since her prior visa expired within the last 48 months and was issued when she was over 14 years old with fingerprints collected, Cingno is eligible for the Interview Waiver.
• Cingno applies for the same F-1 visa, submits her prior visa with the application, and does not need to attend an interview.
• This allows Cignno to renew her visa quickly and focus on her upcoming semester without the delay of securing an interview slot.

This process is particularly advantageous for individuals like Cingno, as it minimizes disruption to their plans while maintaining the security and procedural requirements of the visa system.

The Visa Waiver (Interview Waiver) application refers to a process that allows eligible individuals to renew their U.S. visa without attending an in-person interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. This program applies to specific types of visas and is intended to streamline the visa renewal process for repeat applicants who meet specific criteria.

Types of Visas Eligible for the Interview Waiver

1. Crew Members (C1/D):
   • This is for crew members on international airlines, cruise ships, or other vessels.
   • Example: A flight attendant or cruise ship worker who needs a U.S. visa to transit or work.
2. Students (F-1):
   • For foreign students pursuing full-time academic studies in the U.S.
   • Example: A Burmese student studying engineering at a U.S. university on an F-1 visa.
3. Business/Tourist (B1/B2):
   • For individuals visiting the U.S. for short-term business (B1) or tourism (B2), or a combination of both (B1/B2).
   • Example: A Burmese business professional attending a conference in New York or a family visiting Disney World on vacation.

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Eligibility Criteria for Visa Waiver Applications

• Previous Visa: Applicants must have previously held the same type of visa and meet the specific expiration criteria (48 months for C1/D and F-1, 12 months for B1/B2).
• Prior Visa Characteristics:
  • Issued when the applicant was 14 or older.
  • Fingerprints were collected during the previous visa application process.
  • Not marked as “clearance received” or refused in the past.
• Citizenship/Residency: Applicants must be citizens or residents of the country (e.g., Burma) where they apply.
• Physical Presence: Must apply from the same country and be physically present there.
• Same Visa Type: The application must be for the same visa type as the previous one.

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Let’s look at another example:

Scenario 1: Eligible

• Name: Thangpu
• Visa Type: F-1 (Student)
• Details: Thangpu previously held an F-1 visa while studying for a master’s degree in the U.S. After graduation, he returned to Burma, and his visa expired 6 months ago. Now, he’s been admitted to a Ph.D. program and needs to renew his F-1 visa.
• Outcome: Thant qualifies for the Interview Waiver since his visa expired within the last 48 months, was issued when he was over 14, and he’s applying for the same visa type.

Scenario 2: Ineligible

• Name: Kimnu
• Visa Type: B1/B2 (Tourist)
• Details: Kimnu had a tourist visa that expired 14 months ago. She wants to renew it to visit family in the U.S. but hasn’t traveled recently.
• Outcome: Kimnu does not qualify for the Interview Waiver because her previous visa expired more than 12 months ago.

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Benefits of the Visa Waiver Application for the Burmese Nationals:

• Efficiency: Saves time and avoids the hassle of scheduling and attending an interview.
• Cost-effective: Reduces travel costs for those far from the consulates.
• Convenient: Encourages timely visa renewals by providing an expedited process for repeat applicants.

This process benefits individuals with a history of compliant U.S. travel and straightforward cases.

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