Editor’s Note (September 2, 2025):
The U.S. consulate in Monterrey has confirmed that the Department of State has temporarily delayed implementation of the new H-2 visa interview requirements that were scheduled to take effect today. Until further notice, Mission Mexico consular sections will continue processing eligible H-2 renewals under the existing interview waiver process. First-time applicants or renewals already scheduled for interviews on September 2 should still appear as directed. We will update this story as more information becomes available.
The U.S. Department of State will require all H-2 visa applicants to attend in-person interviews beginning September 2. The change eliminates the previous waiver option, meaning all applicants—including those renewing prior visas—must schedule interviews at a U.S. consular section worldwide.
Mission Mexico, which handles the largest share of H-2 processing, will reopen nine consular locations to meet the increased demand: Monterrey, Tijuana, Guadalajara, Mexico City, Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, Hermosillo, Nogales, and Ciudad Juarez. Mexico City will begin offering H-2 appointments in September, while Guadalajara will not open until February 2026. Officials estimate the change will add roughly 350,000 interviews in Mexico alone.
Industry groups have raised concerns about delays and workforce impacts. The H-2B Workforce Coalition has sent a letter to the Departments of State and Labor urging reconsideration of the policy.
