I am a Singaporean U.S. immigration attorney based in Los Angeles specializing in H-1B1 visas for Singaporeans. My California State Bar record can be found here and my law firm website can be found here. Feel free to connect with me on Linkedin.
For Singaporeans seeking U.S. visas, including H-1B1 visas, at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore, please note that on July 25, 2025, the Department of State has updated the categories of applicants that may be eligible for an interview waiver.
In short, as of September 2, 2025, most nonimmigrant visa applications (including for H-1B1 visas) at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore will require an in-person interview. This is not too surprising, as generally no interview waivers for H-1B1 visas were possible during the first Trump administration back in 2017-2020. As mentioned in a previous blog post, the U.S. Embassy in Singapore has generally done a very good job in keeping things efficient. As such, interview appointment wait times in Singapore might not increase too drastically although it is still best to plan ahead.
Department of State Interview Waiver Update dated July 25, 2025 (available here)
Effective September 2, 2025, the Department of State will update the categories of applicants that may be eligible for a waiver of the nonimmigrant visa interview. All nonimmigrant visa applicants, including applicants under the age of 14 and over the age of 79, will generally require an in-person interview with a consular officer except:
- Applicants classifiable under the visa symbols A-1, A-2, C-3 (except attendants, servants, or personal employees of accredited officials), G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1 through NATO-6, or TECRO E-1;
- Applicants for diplomatic- or official-type visas; and
- Applicants renewing a full validity B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visa or a Border Crossing Card/Foil (for Mexican nationals) within 12 months of the prior visa’s expiration, and who were at least 18 years old at the time of the prior visa’s issuance.
To be eligible for an interview waiver based on the third bullet point above (applicants renewing a full validity B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visa or a Border Crossing Card/Foil for Mexican nationals), applicants must also meet certain criteria, including that they:
- apply in their country of nationality or residence;
- have never been refused a visa (unless such refusal was overcome or waived); and
- have no apparent or potential ineligibility.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
