US Embassy in India says minors of all ages must be present for visa interview

The US Embassy in India has explicitly stated that every minor visa applicant, including newborns and infants, must be physically present at the consular interview. Parents cannot appear on behalf of their child, no matter how young the child is. The clarification was issued in a 'Visa Friday' video posted by the embassy on X, addressing the common misconception that very young children may be exempt.

Hindustan Times reports that the embassy said it is mandatory for a visa officer to see all applicants of every age during the interview process, citing both newborns and 17-year-olds as examples. The embassy described the interview as one of the most critical stages in the visa application process and linked it to border security, national security, and public safety. The requirement applies to children from birth until the day before they turn 18.

Both sources also outline the US visa photo requirements for children: the photo must be exactly 2×2 inches in size, have a plain white or off-white background, show a neutral expression with both eyes open (infants may have a natural calm expression), and must have been taken within the last six months. Glasses are prohibited unless medically necessary, and hats are not allowed except for religious reasons.