Interview waivers have also been sharply reduced. Starting September 2, 2025, nearly all visa categories now require an in-person interview at a U.S. consulate, including for children under 14 and adults over 79. This ends years of convenience where certain groups could renew visas or apply without traveling for interviews.

Another significant change is the introduction of a new 250 dollar Visa Integrity Fee that applies to most nonimmigrant visa applicants. This fee is refundable only if applicants comply fully with visa conditions, making compliance even more important.

Visa bans and restrictions have also been expanded. Citizens of certain countries now face outright entry bans or severe limitations on both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. Other proposed changes include ending the practice of granting “duration of status” to student and exchange visitors, replacing it with fixed periods of stay that would require more frequent renewals.

There have also been controversial executive orders in 2025 attempting to restrict birthright citizenship and impose stricter rules related to gender identity in passports and visas, though some of these measures have been temporarily blocked by courts.

In short, the 2025 visa changes create more barriers for applicants: stricter interview requirements, new fees, longer waits, fewer waivers, expanded bans, and potential limits on how long students and other temporary visitors can remain in the U.S. Applicants planning to travel, study, or work in the United States now need to prepare earlier and expect a more demanding process.