2021 National Interest Exceptions for F1 and J1

This post looks at the National Interest Exceptions and VWP countries closely. To learn more about the most recent interview waiver policy, please go to the 2023 U.S. Visa Interview Waiver for International Students.

Summary: Eligible F1, J1, and M1 visa applicants can take advantage of the in-person visa interview waiver opportunity through the end of 2021.

The U.S. government announced on September 14, 2021, that consular officers are now authorized to waive visa interviews for eligible F, M, and J visa applicants with certain exceptions through the end of this year. Is this good news for prospective international students and current international students?

I believe this is good news for some students but it seems this new update came too late as Fall 2021 has been already started for most colleges and universities in the U.S. What is more, the policy ends too soon considering that the Spring 2022 semester usually starts in January, the policy would have benefitted more students if the policy is valid up until January 2022.

This being said, it is a good sign that the government tries to accommodate the need of international students and scholars. What is more, the message also recognized the benefits and contributions that international students and scholars bring to the United States, which is the second time of the year and after Biden’s presidency.

Whether if you are a current international student and scholar who holds an F, M, and J visa or a prospective international student or scholar, read this post carefully to take the necessary actions and take advantage of the in-person visa interview waiver policy.

[The U.S. government]… has authorized consular officers through the end of 2021 to expand the categories of F, M, and “academic J visa applicants” (students, professors, research scholars, short-term scholars, or specialists) whose applications can be adjudicated without an in-person interview in their consular district of residence, with certain exceptions.

Important Announcement on F, M, and Academic J Visas

Related blog post: US Embassy decided to expand interview waiver eligibility

Contents

• Eligibility for the visa interview waiver
• Eligibility for the National Interest Exceptions

Eligibility for the visa interview waiver

According to the announcement, eligible visa categories for the visa interview waiver can be summarized as below:

• F visas
• M visas
• academic J visa applicants
  • students
  • professors
  • research scholars
  • short-term scholars
  • specialists

If you are previously issued any of the aforementioned visas, you should meet the following requirements to be eligible for the visa interview waiver. F, M, or J visa holders who…

• have never been refused; or
• the refusal was overcome or waived (you are refused at first but approved when you re-attempted); and
• you don’t have “apparent ineligibility or potential ineligibility”
  • Visa ineligibilities will be discussed in detail below.

If you are applying for an F, M, or J visa for the first time, you should be a citizen or national of a VWP (Visa Waiver Program) Designated Country and have no “apparent ineligibility or potential ineligibility (Visa ineligibilities will be discussed in detail below).” You can find a list of a VWP Designated Countries below:

Consular officers may, if they so choose, and pursuant to local conditions, now waive the visa interview requirement for F, M, and academic J visa applicants who were previously issued any type of visa, and who have never been refused a visa unless such refusal was overcome or waived, and who have no apparent ineligibility or potential ineligibility; or first-time F, M, and academic J visa applicants who are citizens or nationals of a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), provided they have no apparent ineligibility or potential ineligibility.

Important Announcement on F, M, and Academic J Visas

Visa ineligibilities

Whether you are a current F, M, or J visa holder or a new visa applicant, this interview waiver update says your visa interview cannot be waived if you have “apparent ineligibility or potential ineligibility.” One of the federal webpages Ineligibilities and Waivers: Laws well outlines what are the example of ineligibilities and below are some:

• who is determined to have a physical or mental disorder that may pose threat to properties or safety of others
• who are a drug abuser or addict
• who has convicted certain crimes
• who has been ellicit traffickers
• who has committed in the United States at any time a serious criminal offense

Again, this list is not the entire list of visa ineligibilities but some of the examples.

If you believe you are eligible for an in-person visa interview waiver, reach out to the local embassy by calling or looking at their websites and ask if your in-person interview can be waived.

Eligibility for the National Interest Exceptions

The flexible update on the in-person visa interview also contains information on the National Interest Exceptions (NIE) policy. To learn more about the NIE policy, click the related blog post below.

Related blog post: What Indian and Chinese students must know about the US travel ban

To sum, F-1 and M-1 visa holders will automatically be considered for an NIE, whereas, J-1 visa holders should reach out to the nearest embassy or consulate to receive an NIE before they fly into the U.S.

Students seeking to apply for a new F-1 or M-1 visa should check the status of visa services at the nearest embassy or consulate; those applicants who are found to be otherwise qualified for an F-1 or M-1 visa will automatically be considered for an NIE to travel.  Students and academics traveling on J-1 visas must contact the nearest embassy or consulate prior to travel to receive an NIE.

Important Announcement on F, M, and Academic J Visas

This post had a closer look at the new F, M, and J student visa in-person interview waiver policy. All important F-1 visa information can be found on the F-1 visa page. International students who are interested in learning how to work in the U.S. as a student can find related information on CPT, OPT, and STEM OPT pages. Lastly, J-1 exchange visitors can find must-know information and news on the J-1 visa page.