8 Actualizaciones Importantes de la Visa de Visitante de EE. UU. que Todo Solicitante de B-1/B-2 Debería Conocer en 2026

Introduction

The U.S. visitor visa process has changed in several significant ways. Applicants who previously expected to qualify for an interview waiver may now need to appear in person. Other applicants may be affected by nationality-based visa bonds, visa-issuance or entry restrictions, and country-specific visa validity rules. Whether you are applying for your first B-1/B-2 visitor visa or renewing a prior visa, these points can help you identify issues before filing.

1. Children Under 14 Generally Must Attend an In-Person Interview

Effective October 1, 2025, all nonimmigrant visa applicants – including children under age 14 – generally must appear for an in-person interview unless they fall within a limited exception. Parents should review the instructions of the specific U.S. embassy or consulate before applying, because local procedures and appointment requirements may vary.

2. Applicants Age 80 and Older Generally Must Attend an Interview

Applicants age 80 and older are also generally required to attend an in-person interview unless a limited exception applies. Families should plan for transportation, accessibility needs, and any accommodation requests well before the appointment.

3. B-1/B-2 Renewal Interview Waivers Are Now Narrower

A consular officer may consider waiving the interview for a B-1, B-2, or B-1/B-2 renewal only when the application is filed within 12 months after the prior visa expired, the prior visa was issued for its full validity, and the applicant was at least 18 years old when that visa was issued. Meeting these conditions does not guarantee a waiver.

4. Interview-Waiver Applicants Must Meet Additional Conditions

An applicant seeking an interview waiver generally must apply in the country of nationality or usual residence, must not have an unresolved prior visa refusal, and must have no apparent or potential ground of ineligibility. A consular officer may still require an interview for any reason. More broadly, nonimmigrant visa applicants should schedule interviews in their country of nationality or residence; applying elsewhere may involve longer waits and may make qualification more difficult.

5. ESTA Travelers Use a Separate Process

The interview-waiver changes above apply to visa applicants, not to travelers using the Visa Waiver Program through ESTA. ESTA is available only to eligible travelers and is not a substitute for a B-1/B-2 visa when a visa is required. An approved ESTA also does not guarantee admission; U.S. Customs and Border Protection makes the admission decision at the port of entry.

6. Visa Bonds Apply to Nationals of Listed Countries

Nationals traveling on passports issued by countries identified by the Department of State may be required to post a B-1/B-2 visa bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. If an applicant is otherwise eligible for the visa and is subject to the bond program, the amount is set at the interview. Applicants should never pay a bond unless a consular officer directs them to do so through the official Pay.gov process. Bonded travelers are generally required to enter and depart through commercial-air ports of entry, including CBP preclearance locations, rather than land or sea ports. Limited exceptions may apply.

7. Some Nationalities Face Visa-Issuance and Entry Suspensions

Presidential Proclamation 10998, effective January 1, 2026, fully or partially suspends visa issuance and entry for nationals of numerous countries, subject to limited exceptions. For B-1/B-2 applicants, the proclamation fully suspends visa issuance to nationals of 19 countries and partially suspends B-1/B-2 issuance to nationals of 19 additional countries. The proclamation generally applies to covered foreign nationals who were outside the United States on the effective date and did not hold a valid visa on that date. Applicants should confirm whether the proclamation applies before paying fees or making travel arrangements.

8. Visa Validity and Authorized Stay Are Not the Same

Visa validity, the number of permitted entries, and any reciprocity fee vary by nationality under the Department of State’s reciprocity schedules. The expiration date printed on a visa controls how long the visa may be used to request admission; it does not determine how long the traveler may remain in the United States. The authorized period of stay is determined by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and is shown on the traveler’s admission record, generally the Form I-94.

What Applicants Should Do Before Applying

Confirm whether an in-person interview is required and do not assume that a prior waiver policy still applies.
Schedule the application in the country of nationality or residence unless an authorized exception applies.
Check current nationality-based visa restrictions, visa-bond requirements, and the applicable reciprocity schedule.
Complete the DS-160 carefully and make sure the information is truthful and consistent with prior applications and supporting records.
Do not pay a visa bond or use a third-party payment site unless a consular officer provides official instructions.
Avoid nonrefundable travel arrangements until the visa is issued, and check the Form I-94 after each admission to the United States.

Pensamientos finales

Visitor visa requirements depend on the applicant’s age, nationality, country of residence, visa history, and individual circumstances. Policies may change quickly. Applicants should verify the latest Department of State guidance and the instructions of the U.S. embassy or consulate where they will apply.

Important: This article provides general educational information and is not legal advice. The outcome of any visa application depends on the facts of the individual case and the law and policy in effect at the time of adjudication.

Sobre el autor

Fadi Minawi is a U.S. immigration attorney and a Founding Partner of ImmiPrep.ai. He has more than 20 years of experience advising individuals and businesses on U.S. immigration and cross-border mobility matters.