On September 2, 2025, Mission Mexico announced that the planned changes to the H-2 visa interview waiver process have been temporarily delayed at the instruction of the U.S. Department of State. This reversal means that consular sections in Mexico will continue processing H-2 renewals under the prior interview waiver procedures until further notice. 

Under this guidance: 

• September 2 applicants: First-time or renewal H-2 applicants already scheduled for in-person interviews should attend their appointments as planned. 

• Beginning September 3: Consular sections will resume processing H-2 renewals as interview waiver cases, provided applicants meet the eligibility requirements for interview waivers. 

Mission Mexico indicated that additional information will be shared as soon as possible, but no further details are available at this time. 

This is a welcome development for agricultural employers who rely on the H-2A program, as it preserves the former interview waiver option for returning workers. The Department of State had previously announced that it would narrow interview waiver eligibility for H-2 applicants effective September 2, 2025, a change that was expected to increase scheduling delays and slow the processing of returning workers’ visas. Western Growers covered that policy change here. 

We will continue to monitor developments closely and provide updates as new guidance is released. 

For questions about H-2A interview requirements or the H-2A program in general, please contact the Western Growers H-2A Services team.