B1/B2 renewal interview

[Princeani 4]

My mother is reapplying for B visa that expired just few months ago. She meets all criteria to renew her visa via mail, but she was prompted to schedule an interview. She is re-applying online for B1/B2 visa at US embassy in Cairo.

just wondering if anyone has similar experience recently and I'd appreciate any idea about how to deal with this situation since there is no interviews available until May 2022.

 

Thank you, 

 

 

[SalishSea 17,771]

21 minutes ago, Princeani said:

My mother is reapplying for B visa that expired just few months ago. She meets all criteria to renew her visa via mail, but she was prompted to schedule an interview. She is re-applying online for B1/B2 visa at US embassy in Cairo.

just wondering if anyone has similar experience recently and I'd appreciate any idea about how to deal with this situation since there is no interviews available until May 2022.

 

Thank you, 

 

 

Not sure what you mean by "how to deal with this situation," but if she is flagged as needing an interview for a B visa renewal, there is nothing to be done on your end.  She will need to book one of the available appointments if she wants a visa.

[Boiler 45,399]

May ish next year seems quite common for B interviews, now whether they will put them back impossible to say.

[Princeani 4]

9 hours ago, Jorgedig said:

Not sure what you mean by "how to deal with this situation," but if she is flagged as needing an interview for a B visa renewal, there is nothing to be done on your end.  She will need to book one of the available appointments if she wants a visa.

probably I couldn't explain it well.  I'm asking if US embassy in Cairo is no longer  waive the in person interview for people who meet the exemption criteria.

 

[Just Paul 4,595]

37 minutes ago, Princeani said:

probably I couldn't explain it well.  I'm asking if US embassy in Cairo is no longer  waive the in person interview for people who meet the exemption criteria.

 

She isn't exempt if the system says she needs an interview.   Take the appointment and check back for cancellations.  That's how we got a faster interview.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

1 hour ago, Princeani said:

probably I couldn't explain it well.  I'm asking if US embassy in Cairo is no longer  waive the in person interview for people who meet the exemption criteria.

 

Note that it says “may” be eligible, not automatically will be (and it also notes that even some who are approved for mail-in may still be required to attend an interview). I am assuming your mom did not get this under step 3 “ If you are eligible to apply for a visa without an interview, you will print out the “interview waiver Letter” which you will include with your visa application to be mailed.”  https://www.ustraveldocs.com/eg/eg-niv-visarenew.asp
if you are sure all fields were correctly filled in (both complete and accurate) and she did not get this then it means she needs an interview.

Edited September 17, 2021 by SusieQQQ

[Juliet57 304]

is she scheduled for an interview or for biometrics? 

[Skyman 318]

Yeah, ran into the same deal when renewing my wife's B-2 January 2020. She qualified for by mail but nothing says how to request that and it just takes you to the appointment schedule page. I  don't know if it's actually possible but she just flew to Manila and home February 27th for the renewal.  2 days before lockdown.

[SalishSea 17,771]

9 hours ago, Princeani said:

probably I couldn't explain it well.  I'm asking if US embassy in Cairo is no longer  waive the in person interview for people who meet the exemption criteria.

 

I understood what you meant.  Please re-read my reply.

 

Waivers for interviews are not automatic, and if the embassy says she needs an interview, then she needs one.