Mexican applicants (children and seniors) for American Visas are now required to show in person for an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
This started on September this year, when the U.S. Department of State claimed the objective of this modification is to improve security and guarantee that each person is examined separately.
This wasn’t the case before since these groups where exempt and were able to get their visa without having to talk directly to an officer. Not everyone, though, will have to go through an interview. Diplomats and officials who apply in the A-1, A-2, C-3, G-1, G-4, and NATO-1 to NATO-6 categories, as well as in certain particular visa renewal cases, are still exempt.
Who needs to attend an interview — and who doesn’t
All applicants who do not fall into those categories will need to make an in-person appearance starting in September 2025. This includes applicants for business and tourism-related B1/B2 visas.
Only the following applicants are still exempt:
- Members of international organizations and diplomats who fall under the A-1, A-2, C-3, G-1, G-4, and NATO-1, NATO-6 categories.
- The system will automatically approve some renewals as long as the previous visa hasn’t expired.
According to the U.S. Department of State, these interviews will reduce fraud cases and increase the security of the visa application process.
What do you need to apply?
To apply for a U.S. visa, here are the main steps:
- Form DS-160: Fill out this online form, making sure to save the confirmation number. At least two business days before to the interview, this number must correspond to the one you used to make your appointment.
- Payment: The cost of a B1/B2 visa is $185 USD. Payments must be made using the consular exchange rate in Mexican pesos. After payment, you have 365 days to make an appointment.
- Appointments: Two separate appointments are now required since it is no longer possible to make both visits on the same day:
- One for photos and fingerprints at the Applicant Service Center (CAS).
- Another for the interview at the U.S. consulate or embassy.
- Documents:
- A valid passport.
- The confirmation page of Form DS-160.
- Proof of appointment.
- Additional records showing close ties to Mexico, including employment, real estate, or family connections.
Other important measures
This modification follows the security updates that were initially implemented during Donald Trump’s administration, when he pushed for stricter controls over the processing of visas. The administration claims that this is an element of a bigger effort to update screening procedures and enhance global confidence, including the Real ID requirement in the US, which was designed to make airport security easier and improve traveler identification standards.
New rules to follow
This changes arrives at a time where Real ID is becoming a hustle some parts of the country; although the purpose was to improve security (and time), having so many people changing their documents at the same time have put some citizens legal’s updates on hold, delaying all kinds of process. The Visa application, although it’s still in line with the Real ID transformation, doesn’t seem to be affected by it, yet.
Even though the modification involves an additional step, its goal is to increase security and transparency in the visa application process.
However, it also add some other things to think about: minors (and sometimes seniors) have to be accompanied by an adult since they cannot do the process by themselves. This means, not only missing school for the kids, but also asking for more permissions at work to get the application done.
The best advice: start early, double-check your documents, and follow the official steps very carefully.