Archive · 15 Aug 2026
US Embassy: Every Minor Visa Applicant Must Appear in Person
Some families in India are getting ready to travel to the United States.
To go there, people need a special travel permission called a visa.
As part of getting a visa, families talk to an officer at the US embassy.
Some parents thought babies and small children did not have to come to this talk.
But the embassy says that is not true.
Every child, even a newborn baby, must go to the embassy and be seen by the officer in person.
Older kids who are almost 18 must come too.
Children cannot go by themselves, so a parent or guardian must go with them.
Families also need to bring important papers like the child's passport and birth certificate.
Every minor US visa applicant, from newborns through 17-year-olds, must appear in person for the consular interview with no age-based exemptions.
The US Embassy in India issued the reminder in a 'Visa Friday' advisory video on social media on August 14, 2026.
The policy follows US Department of State tightening that phased out blanket interview waivers for children under 14.
Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, and formal consent from a non-accompanying parent is strongly advised.
Required documents include the child's passport with six months' validity, DS-160 confirmation, appointment letter, birth certificate, passport photos, and parents' visa and financial documents.
- Who
- Minor US visa applicants in India and their parents or legal guardians, along with the US Embassy in India and the US Department of State.
- What
- The US Embassy in India reiterated that every minor applicant of any age must personally appear for the consular interview, with no exemptions.
- When
- The advisory was shared on August 14, 2026 under the embassy's 'Visa Friday' social media initiative.
- Where
- US consular posts in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.
- Why
- The US Department of State tightened interview waiver rules, phasing out blanket interview waivers for children under 14.
- Issuing authority
- US Embassy in India / US Department of State
- Announcement date
- August 14, 2026
- Applicants affected
- Minors from newborns to 17-year-olds
- Core rule
- In-person consular interview mandatory at every age
- Consular posts in India
- New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata
- Passport validity
- At least six months beyond intended stay
- Required form
- DS-160 application confirmation page
- Recent policy change
- Blanket interview waivers for children under 14 phased out