In a few weeks, people in the US on H-1Bs and other nonimmigrant visas will be required to attend in-person interviews in their home countries to renew those visas. The impacts of these changes are expected to be felt across Silicon Valley, where many companies use H-1B visas to hire talent.

On July 25, the State Department shared an update about the "Interview Waiver Program," explaining changes that would take effect September 2, 2025.

Audrea Golding, a San Jose attorney and a partner at the immigration law practice Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy LLP, said the latest changes from the State Department mean most people with nonimmigrant visas-- like H-1Bs -- can no longer use the popular Interview Waiver program that allowed them to skip in-person consulate interviews to get their

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