Feds mandate in-person interviews for overseas renewals

**Feds Mandate In-Person Interviews for Overseas H-1B Renewals**

Overseas Visa Renewals Just Got Tougher

Imagine needing to visit your home country for a routine work visa renewal. Sounds like a party, right? Not quite—especially when it affects thousands of skilled professionals.

What’s Happening?

The U.S. government has announced that H-1B visa holders will now require in-person interviews for renewals, instead of the previous mail-based process. This shift is part of a broader push for stricter immigration control, sparking debate across industries.

Where Is It Happening?

The policy impacts H-1B visa holders residing in the U.S. who need to renew their visas, primarily affecting those seeking renewal through U.S. embassies and consulates in their home countries.

When Did It Take Place?

The mandate is set to take effect immediately, with no specific end date announced. Advocacy groups are lobbying for clarity on the rollout.

How Is It Unfolding?

· **In-Person Mandate**: All H-1B renewals, not just first-time applications, now require interviews.
· **Increased Processing Times**: Visa backlogs are expected as demand surges at consulates.
· **industry Pushback**: Tech giants argue the move disrupts critical workforce pipelines.
· **Political Ripple Effect**: The decision aligns with Trump’s harder-line immigration stance.

Quick Breakdown

· H-1B visas are commonly used by tech companies to hire skilled foreign workers.
· Previous renewals only required documentation submission, not interviews.
· The policy doesn’t apply to renewals within the U.S.; only those renewed abroad.
· Critics warn of dropped H-1B Immigration to the “20 percent increase in backlogged.”

Key Takeaways

The new H-1B policy tightens visa renewal rules, adding layers of bureaucracy for skilled workers and employers. For tech firms relying on foreign talent, this could mean project delays and increased costs. Meanwhile, opponents see it as a step toward fairer hiring practices. At its core, the mandate reflects the ongoing tension between national labor policies and global talent demands.

Worrying visa changes. These aren’t just paperwork hurdles; they’re talent barriers.
– Lira Chen, Founder, Overseas Tech Alliance

Final Thought

Source & Credit: https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/08/10/h-1b-visa-government-in-person-interviews-overseas-renewals/