September 2025 Interview Waiver Update

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.

As of October 1, 2025, interview waivers at the US Embassy in Singapore will continue to not be available for most visa classifications, including H-1B1.

Based on the latest interview waiver update from the US Department of State on September 18, 2025:

Effective October 1, 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;
• Applicants renewing a B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visa or Border Crossing Card/Foil (BBBCC/BBBCV for Mexican applicants) within 12 months of the prior visa’s expiration when the prior visa was issued for full validity at the time of issuance and the applicant was at least 18 years old;
• Applicants renewing an H-2A visa within 12 months of the prior visa’s expiration when the prior visa was issued for full validity at the time of issuance and the applicant was at least 18 years old.

To be eligible for an interview waiver, applicants must also meet certain criteria, including that he or she:

• apply in his or her country of nationality or usual residence (except diplomatic and certain official visa applicants);
• 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.

July 2025 Interview Waiver Update in Singapore

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.

May 2025 US Embassy in Singapore Updates on MRV Fee Payment and Contacting the Embassy

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.

Below are the most recent updates with regard to MRV Fee Payment and Contacting the US Embassy in Singapore.

MRV Fee Payment

Please note that there are now only two modes of MRV fee payment for nonimmigrant visas (including H-1B1 visas) with the US Embassy in Singapore (per the US Travel Docs website for Singapore here):

1. Pay in-person (only possible if you are in Singapore):  Pay in-person with Cash or with a Debit card at VFS Global located at 79 Anson Road, #15-02, Singapore 0799062. 

2. Pay Online:  Credit/Debit card.

(Electronic Fund Transfer/EFT is no longer a valid mode of payment)

The most efficient payment method is to do so online via #2 - Credit/Debit card .  The problem is that at present only Mastercard is allowed (i.e. other cards such as a Visa card or American Express card, etc. are not accepted).  This is rather strange since many people use other types of cards besides Mastercard.  Having said that, if you do not have a Mastercard, one solution is to purchase a Mastercard gift card from here.  

Contacting the Embassy

The US Embassy in Singapore could historically be contacted via email at: Singaporecon@state.gov, and responses were usually prompt.  But as of now, this email is no longer in use for routine inquiries (although it may still be used if the Embassy directs an applicant to use it for post-interview document submission for the purposes of administrative processing).

As of now, to ensure that inquiries to the US Embassy in Singapore will be responded to, you will generally have to use the new interview booking US Travel Docs platform at https://www.usvisascheduling.com/ and choose the "Feedback/Requests" tab to send a message.

Further or in the alternative, the customer help desk hotline for the US Embassy in Singapore is currently still working for telephonic inquiries (8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Singapore time): 

A. Dial +65 3158 5400 if you are in Singapore, or 

B. Dial 703 520 2238 if you are in the United States. 

Disclaimer:  This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

February 2025 Interview Waiver Update in Singapore

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 US visas, including H-1B1 visas, at the US Embassy in Singapore, please note that as of February 18, 2025, the Department of State has updated the categories of applicants that may be eligible for an interview waiver.  Consular officers have the authority and discretion to waive an in-person interview for the following categories:

• 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 who previously held a visa in the same category that expired less than 12 months prior to the new application.

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.

What this means for you as a Singaporean H-1B1 visa applicant is that if you have previously held an H-1B1 visa that is still valid or has expired within the last 12 months, you may generally qualify for an interview waiver with the U.S. Embassy in Singapore. 

Although thankfully interview waivers have not been totally eliminated yet, Singaporeans are reminded that the interview waiver program is discretionary.  In other words, applicants may still be called in by the Embassy for an in-person interview on a case-by-case basis at any time.

Furthermore, as I have explained in a previous blog post here, the Changi drop-off/pick-up location has been quite problematic for the interview waiver process involving H-1B1 cases.  In my opinion, it would be safer for you to use the Orchard Road drop-off/pick-up location even though using the Orchard Road one will cost you an extra SGD $18 (See my other blog post here regarding the discontinuance of the Chinatown drop-off/pick-up location and for details regarding the Orchard Road drop-off/pick-up location). 

Disclaimer:  This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Updates on Document Dropoff/Pickup in Singapore

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 who will be having visa interviews at the US Embassy in Singapore in 2025, I have been informed that starting January 2, 2025, the standard and premium dropoff/pickup locations will change, as follows.

Standard Location Option (Free)

Until January 1, 2025, you may drop off / pick up your documents at no charge at Aramex c/o Bstone Travel Pte Ltd-People's Park Centre (near Chinatown MRT station).

From January 2, 2025 onwards, the free drop off / pick up location will be Aramex International Logistics Pte Ltd, No. 3 Changi South Street 1 #01-01, Singapore 486795 (the Aramex office in Changi)

Premium Location Option (Required to pay SGD 18)

Until January 1, 2025, you may drop off / pick up your documents at Aramex International Logistics Pte Ltd, No. 3 Changi South Street 1 #01-01 (the Aramex office in Changi).

From January 2, 2025 onwards, the premium drop off / pick up location will be LBC Express Airfreight (S) Pte. Ltd., 304 Orchard Road, #03-46, Lucky Plaza, Singapore 238863 (New Orchard Road location)

Summary

Based on the foregoing, it appears that, starting January 2, 2025:

1.  The Aramex location near Chinatown MRT station will be discontinued.

2.  The Standard Drop off / Pick up location (free) will be at the Aramex office in Changi.

3.  The Premium Drop off / Pick up location (SGD 18) will be at the New Orchard Road location above.

It is currently unclear whether this upcoming change will affect the efficiency of picking up your passport after your visa interview at the US Embassy in Singapore.

I have previously written about the problems regarding dropping off documents at the Changi location under the interview waiver drop off process here.  These problems may persist at the Changi location in the context of the interview waiver process if it is still available next year, although I have explained why interview waivers will likely be discontinued in 2025 here.

Conversely, if you will not be utilizing the Interview Waiver process next year and you will instead be attending an in-person interview, then the Changi location will probably suffice for document pickup after the interview. 

Having said that, only time will tell whether it is worthwhile to just pay an extra SGD 18 if using the New Orchard Road location is more efficient and/or reliable.

Disclaimer:  This blog post is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.

Potential Impact on H-1B1 Cases if Trump is Reelected

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.

Since Election Day is coming up, in this blog post I am writing about 3 potential scenarios impacting H-1B1 cases if Trump is reelected. 

Potential Scenario #1 if Trump is Reelected:  Discontinuance of Interview Waiver Process

If Trump is reelected, it is very likely that the interview waiver process at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore will be discontinued.  I have written about the Interview Waiver process here.  You may recall that between 2017 and 2020, during the previous Trump presidential term, there was no interview waiver option available.  This will very likely be the scenario again if Trump is reelected. 

Potential Scenario #2 if Trump is Reelected:  Increase in Visa Appointment Wait Times

Since it is very likely that interview waivers will be discontinued during a second Trump presidency, the natural consequence would be that visa appointment wait times for an in-person H-1B1 visa interview will increase.  This is simply because, in the event of non-availability of interview waivers, more in-person interview appointment slots will understandably be taken up. 

Having said that, the US 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 even if Trump is reelected. 

Potential Scenario #3 if Trump is Reelected:  Increase in USCIS Issuance of RFEs and Processing Times (for USCIS I-129 petitions) 

This potential scenario applies to USCIS Processing of H-1B1 I-129 Petitions in the U.S.  Accordingly, this does not apply to H-1B1 visa applications done directly at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore where USCIS is not involved.  (I compare USCIS processing versus US Embassy processing in a previous blog post here).

During the previous Trump presidential term, there was a general uptick of Requests for Evidence (RFEs) sent out by USCIS for I-129 petitions involving H-1 cases.  Although an RFE does not automatically mean that USCIS will eventually deny a petition, an RFE generally stretches the overall processing time of a USCIS H-1B1 petition, especially since H-1B1 petitions with USCIS currently do not have premium processing (expedite) service available.  USCIS presently takes an average of about 2.5 months to process an H-1B1 I-129 petition -- this timeframe will be expanded if USCIS sends out an RFE.

Disclaimer:  This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Updates on USCIS Processing of H-1B1 Petitions

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.

Below are two major updates regarding the USCIS Processing of H-1B1 Petitions in the U.S.  Note that these updates pertain only to I-129 petitions filed with USCIS.  In other words, these do not apply to H-1B1 visa applications done directly at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore where USCIS is not involved.  I compare USCIS processing versus US Embassy processing in a previous blog post here.

1. USCIS Online Filing Now Available

Firstly, as of April 1, 2024, USCIS allows H-1B1 employers to file H-1B1 I-129 petitions online using their MyUSCIS account at https://my.uscis.gov/.

Nevertheless, H-1B1 employers can still choose to utilize the traditional paper filing method with USCIS, which is totally fine.

To reiterate, we are talking about petitions filed with USCIS here.  If a Singaporean were to apply for an H-1B1 visa directly at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore, then there is no need to go through USCIS at all.

Note: the USCIS online filing system currently does NOT have the capability to process concurrent applications for H-4 dependents filed with the principal's H-1B1 petition.  For instance, in a situation where an H-1B1 extension of stay in the U.S. is sought via an I-129 petition AND an extension of status is also sought for an H-4 dependent (e.g. spouse) via a concurrent 539 application, an online filing would not be possible.  In such an instance, paper filing for the concurrent I-129 H-1B1 petition and I-539 H-4 application is the only option.  

2. New USCIS Filing Fees

Secondly, as of April 1, 2024, USCIS has effectively increased its filing fees for I-129 petitions filed by companies by having higher fees for larger companies and adding a new type of fee called the Asylum Program fee (to fund government costs associated with asylum processing even though I-129 petitions do not deal with asylum cases at all).  The new USCIS filing fees are summarized as follows.

For Companies:

For a company with 25 or less employees (including those employed by the company's subsidiaries and affiliates)

USCIS I-129 filing fee: $460 (Regardless of paper filing or online filing)

USCIS Asylum Program fee: $300

USCIS ACWIA fee: $750

Total: $1510

For a company with over 25 employees (including those employed by the company's subsidiaries and affiliates)

USCIS I-129 filing fee: $780 (Paper filing) or $730 (Online filing)

USCIS Asylum Program fee: $600

USCIS ACWIA fee: $1500

Total: $2880 (Paper filing) or $2830 (Online filing)

Note:  Employees here refer to full-time equivalent employees (which in turn equals to the number of full-time employees plus the number of part-time employees aggregated to full-time equivalents). 

For Non-Profits:

For a Non-profit with 25 or less employees (including those employed by the Non-profit's subsidiaries and affiliates)

USCIS I-129 filing fee: $460 (Regardless of paper filing or online filing)

USCIS Asylum Program fee: $0

USCIS ACWIA fee: $750

Total: $1210

For a Non-profit with over 25 employees (including those employed by the Non-profit's subsidiaries and affiliates)

USCIS I-129 filing fee: $460 (Regardless of paper filing or online filing)

USCIS Asylum Program fee: $0

USCIS ACWIA fee: $1500

Total: $1960

Note:  Employees here refer to full-time equivalent employees (which in turn equals to the number of full-time employees plus the number of part-time employees aggregated to full-time equivalents). 

These USCIS filing fees only apply to petitions filed with USCIS.  If you were to apply for an H-1B1 visa directly at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore, you do NOT need to go through USCIS.

Accordingly, the USCIS fee adjustment imposed by USCIS (and how they are now structured in a potentially more confusing manner) is perhaps now another factor in favor of applying for an H-1B1 visa directly with the U.S. Embassy in Singapore. 

Disclaimer:  This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.