U.S. Department of State announced on August 25, 2020 that it has temporarily expanded the ability of consular officers to waive the in-person interview requirement for individuals applying for a non-immigrant visa in the same classification. Before the change, only applicants whose nonimmigrant visa expired within 12 months were eligible for an interview waiver. The State Department has temporarily extended the expiration period to 24 months. This temporary change will be in effect until December 31, 2020