This temporary final rule (TFR) provides flexibility for consular officers to waive the personal appearance of certain repeat immigrant visa applicants who were approved for an immigrant visa in the same classification and on the same basis as the current application on or after August 4, 2019. It also gives consular officers discretion to allow this subset of immigrant visa applicants to affirm the accuracy of the contents of their application without appearing in person before a consular officer. This TFR is effective immediately and expires after 24 months. The final rule portion of this document reinstates parts of the regulations with certain updates after the expiration of the TFR.

DATES:

Amendments in instructions 2 and 3 in this temporary final rule are effective from December 13, 2021, through December 13, 2023. The amendment in instruction 4 is effective December 13, 2023.