US B2 Tourist Visa for above 79 years old

[xwind 10]

My mother in-law is 82 years old and trying to apply for a US tourist visa from the Philippines. She has completed and submitted her DS-160 form but unsure about the next step.

According to this page, https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-below14andover79.asp and this page https://ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-visarenew.asp, it appears people under 14 or over 79 are special cases and may be eligible for an interview waiver.

 

I thought that her age would automatically exempt her from an interview, but I emailed the visa services just to make sure. Unfortunately they replied with the same information that's on the website, indicating that you have to already have a B2 visa you wish to renew. Note that on the page, https://ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-visarenew.asp, it lists the interview waiver eligibility criteria, and then immediately after it says "***For applicants under the age of 14 and over 79 years of age should check here." But then simply links back to the first link above.

 

My in-law has never held a visa before, in fact she has never left the Philippines in her life and she just recently got her visa first passport.

 

Can anyone help clarify what is the next step? Does she need to schedule an appointment still? Thanks.

[SalishSea 18,072]

24 minutes ago, xwind said:

My mother in-law is 82 years old and trying to apply for a US tourist visa from the Philippines. She has completed and submitted her DS-160 form but unsure about the next step.

According to this page, https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-below14andover79.asp and this page https://ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-visarenew.asp, it appears people under 14 or over 79 are special cases and may be eligible for an interview waiver.

 

I thought that her age would automatically exempt her from an interview, but I emailed the visa services just to make sure. Unfortunately they replied with the same information that's on the website, indicating that you have to already have a B2 visa you wish to renew. Note that on the page, https://ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-visarenew.asp, it lists the interview waiver eligibility criteria, and then immediately after it says "***For applicants under the age of 14 and over 79 years of age should check here." But then simply links back to the first link above.

 

My in-law has never held a visa before, in fact she has never left the Philippines in her life and she just recently got her visa first passport.

 

Can anyone help clarify what is the next step? Does she need to schedule an appointment still? Thanks.

Is she trying to move here?

[aaron2020 11,651]

She needs to make an appointment for an interview.

 

What you posted is for renewals.

[Boiler 45,908]

Might want to check the cost of travel insurance 

[SteveInBostonI130 3,477]

1 hour ago, xwind said:

My mother in-law is 82 years old and trying to apply for a US tourist visa from the Philippines. She has completed and submitted her DS-160 form but unsure about the next step.

According to this page, https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-below14andover79.asp and this page https://ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-visarenew.asp, it appears people under 14 or over 79 are special cases and may be eligible for an interview waiver.

 

I thought that her age would automatically exempt her from an interview, but I emailed the visa services just to make sure. Unfortunately they replied with the same information that's on the website, indicating that you have to already have a B2 visa you wish to renew. Note that on the page, https://ustraveldocs.com/ph/ph-niv-visarenew.asp, it lists the interview waiver eligibility criteria, and then immediately after it says "***For applicants under the age of 14 and over 79 years of age should check here." But then simply links back to the first link above.

 

My in-law has never held a visa before, in fact she has never left the Philippines in her life and she just recently got her visa first passport.

 

Can anyone help clarify what is the next step? Does she need to schedule an appointment still? Thanks.

 

According to the links you have provided for PH:

 

1. Those under 14 may have their interview waived if one of both parents have valid B1/B2 visas and the child is physically in PH.
2. For those over 79, all the following has to apply:

• I have a previous B1/B2 visa that I wish to renew;
• My prior visa was valid for ten (10) years;
• My prior visa is still valid or has expired within the last 48 months;
• I have in my possession my passport with my previous visa from the same visa category for which I now wish to apply;
• My name, date of birth, and gender on my last visa are the same (If there is name change due to marriage or annulment, I can provide documentary proof); **
• My most recent visa was issued on or after my 14th birthday; ***
• The last time I applied for a visa it was approved;
• I have not requested an extension or change of status through USCIS. 

 

So, for those over 79, only visa renewals for B1/B2 can qualify for an interview waiver, which is basically the same for anyone whose previous visa was issued after age 14.

[xwind 10]

On 2/25/2022 at 5:55 PM, Jorgedig said:

Is she trying to move here?

No, we merely want her to experience the US for a few months. So just a tourist visa.

 

On 2/25/2022 at 6:54 PM, Boiler said:

Might want to check the cost of travel insurance 

Is travel insurance required/recommended?

 

On 2/25/2022 at 7:16 PM, SteveInBostonI130 said:

 

According to the links you have provided for PH:

 

1. Those under 14 may have their interview waived if one of both parents have valid B1/B2 visas and the child is physically in PH.
2. For those over 79, all the following has to apply:

• I have a previous B1/B2 visa that I wish to renew;
• My prior visa was valid for ten (10) years;
• My prior visa is still valid or has expired within the last 48 months;
• I have in my possession my passport with my previous visa from the same visa category for which I now wish to apply;
• My name, date of birth, and gender on my last visa are the same (If there is name change due to marriage or annulment, I can provide documentary proof); **
• My most recent visa was issued on or after my 14th birthday; ***
• The last time I applied for a visa it was approved;
• I have not requested an extension or change of status through USCIS. 

 

So, for those over 79, only visa renewals for B1/B2 can qualify for an interview waiver, which is basically the same for anyone whose previous visa was issued after age 14.

Interesting, I don't understand why they hint at there being a special case for those above 79, when the interview waiver process is the same for those above age 14 anyway.

 

 

That's too bad that this is the situation. It looks like the next available interview appointment isn't until July 2023. My mother in-law might not even be alive before she gets her interview lol. I guess we were hoping she'd be able to get an interview waiver and get here sooner. Thanks for all the replies though!

[Boiler 45,908]

I have no idea if an interview

waiver is quicker perhaps someone else does

 

You answered your question about the need for travel insurance