Skip the Interview: Visa Waivers for Kids and Seniors

Good news! If you are a child under 14 or a senior over 80, you might be able to avoid a visa interview and submit your application by mail.

This is a convenient way to apply for a U.S. visa without the hassle of going to the embassy.

Who can skip the interview?

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Children Under 14

This is great for families traveling to the U.S. with young children.

To be eligible, the child and their parent or guardian must meet these requirements:

The child must be 13 years old or younger.
The child must have a biological parent (listed on the birth certificate) or legal guardian (listed on a court order) with a valid tourist or business visa issued by the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown or a valid ESTA waiver from France, the United Kingdom, or the Netherlands.
Both the child and their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) must be citizens and residents of one of the eligible countries listed below.
The child must never have been refused a visa or they must have received a visa after a previous refusal.
The child’s previous U.S. visa must not have been lost or stolen.
Neither biological parent nor legal guardian can be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

What documents do you need?

Copy of the child’s birth certificate.
Copy of one or both parent’s passport bio pages.
Copy of one or both parent’s valid U.S. visa(s) or ESTA approval.
The child’s valid passport (with at least one blank page) valid for travel to the United States. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay in the U.S. (check country-specific agreements for exceptions).
Any previous passports issued to the child with U.S. visas.
The DS-160 application confirmation page.
Proof of the parent’s ability to pay for travel expenses (e.g., bank statement).
One recent (within the last six months) color photograph (5 x 5 cm / 2 x 2 inches) of the child. No glasses allowed. (Visit the Department of State website for more details on photo guidelines: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html).

Seniors Over 80

You’ve lived a long life, and now you can enjoy a simpler visa application process!

To qualify for a waiver, you must meet these requirements:

You must be 80 years of age or older.
Your previous U.S. visa must not have been revoked or canceled due to an immigration violation.
Your previous U.S. visa must not have been lost or stolen.
You are applying for a tourist or business visa (B1/B2).
You have never been refused a visa or you were issued a visa subsequent to a prior refusal.
You are a citizen and passport holder of one of the eligible countries listed below.

What documents do you need?

Your current passport valid for travel to the United States. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay in the U.S. (check country-specific agreements for exceptions).
Any previous passports issued to you with U.S. visas.
Proof of your ability to finance travel (e.g., bank statement).
One recent (within the last six months) color photograph (5 x 5 cm / 2 x 2 inches). No glasses allowed. (Visit the Department of State website for more details on photo guidelines: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html).

Important Reminders:

All visa applications must be submitted by mail.
Always apply well in advance of your planned travel dates.
Do not make final travel plans or purchase non-refundable tickets before receiving your visa.

Good luck with your visa application! We hope you have a wonderful time in the United States.