Parents applying for a U.S. visa for their children should know about an important interview rule. Most children applying for U.S. nonimmigrant visas must now attend the visa interview in person, including children under 14. The U.S. Department of State changed its interview-waiver policy on October 1, 2025. The earlier broad exemption for children under 14 was removed. Limited exceptions still apply.
U.S. visa interview rule for minors
Children are no longer automatically exempt from visa interviews because of their age. If a child is applying for a nonimmigrant visa, such as a B-1/B-2 visitor visa, parents should expect the child to appear at the scheduled interview unless the child qualifies for a specific exemption. This includes young children who previously may have qualified for an interview waiver.
Does a child under 14 need to attend?
Generally, yes. Under the current policy, applicants under 14 generally need an in-person interview for nonimmigrant visas. Parents should not assume that they can attend the appointment without the child simply because the child is young.
What about babies and toddlers?
Age alone does not automatically provide an interview waiver. If a baby or toddler is applying for a nonimmigrant visa and the application does not qualify for an exception, the child must appear for the interview. Parents should check the appointment instructions before traveling to the consular post.
What should parents do when applying?
Each child applying for a nonimmigrant visa needs their own application. For most temporary U.S. visas, this means completing a separate DS-160 for the child. A parent or legal guardian can complete and electronically sign the DS-160 for a child under 16.
Parents should then:
- Complete the child’s DS-160.
- Pay the applicable visa fee.
- Schedule the appointment.
- Check whether an interview is required.
- Take the child to the interview when required.
- Carry the child’s passport.
- Carry the DS-160 confirmation page.
- Carry the appointment confirmation.
- Carry the child’s birth certificate and other relevant supporting documents.
What documents should parents carry?
The exact documents depend on the visa category. For a typical visitor visa application, parents should keep these documents ready:
- Child’s passport
- DS-160 confirmation page
- Appointment confirmation
- Visa fee receipt, where applicable
- Required photograph, if applicable
- Child’s birth certificate
- Proof of the parent-child relationship
- Parents’ passports
- Parents’ U.S. visas, if applicable
- Documents supporting the purpose of the trip
- Relevant financial or school documents, where applicable
- Previous U.S. visa or travel documents, if applicable
Parents should follow the document instructions provided for their specific U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Are there exceptions?
Yes. The interview requirement has limited exceptions. Certain diplomatic and official visa applicants may qualify for an exemption. Some applicants renewing qualifying B-1, B-2 or B1/B2 visas may also qualify if they meet all the conditions.
However, one important condition for the B-1/B-2 renewal waiver is that the applicant must have been at least 18 years old when the previous visa was issued. Other requirements also apply. A consular officer can also require an interview even when an applicant appears eligible for a waiver.
What about immigrant visas?
The rules are different for immigrant visas. A child under 14 accompanying a principal immigrant visa applicant generally does not have to attend the interview if the child is applying under the same petition and case number.
However, a child of any age who has their own petition or case number generally must attend the interview. Therefore, parents should first determine whether their child is applying for a nonimmigrant visa or immigrant visa.
Where should Indian applicants apply?
The State Department currently advises nonimmigrant visa applicants to apply in their country of nationality or residence, subject to applicable exceptions. Indian residents applying for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa should therefore generally use the U.S. visa-processing system in India.
Being under 14 no longer automatically means a child can skip a U.S. nonimmigrant visa interview. Parents should check the child’s appointment requirements and be prepared to bring the child in person. Immigrant visa rules are different. Always check the latest instructions from the relevant U.S. Embassy or Consulate before the appointment.
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