My parent who resides in Vietnam, previously received a B2 tourist visa less than 48 months ago and came to visit us in the United States.
We are now renewing the visa so they can visit again.
At the time of the first application they had to go interview but since they were over 79 they did not have to get fingerprinted/ten printed.
Now as we're filling out the ustraveldocs website, there is a series of questions toward the end of the application to determine whether you can mail in your renewal application which would not require another interview, or submit it online which would require scheduling an interview.
Part of the series of questions asks: "Did you provide fingerprints?" during the previous application.
If you say "No" then the website determines that you're not eligible for mail-in application and thus have to interview again.
I find the website process ridiculous (not to mention the constant amount of times they temporarily "ban" you if you are on the site too long or just doing normal things on it). Shouldn't there be a question that first asks: "Were you older than 79 years old at the time of the first application?" and then if you answer yes, it won't prompt you to ask if you provided fingerprints?
I feel like embassy should have just taken fingerprints during my parent's previous interview if it was going to be a headache for a future renewal.
Also I see that for other countries such as Philippines or Barbados, their ustraveldocs FAQs specifically say that you can get an interview waiver if you were over 79 when you initially received your visa. But I don't see any such language for Vietnamese applicants.
I don't know if it's because the rules are different in Vietnam or if they simply overlooked this situation. I called and submitted inquiries with the embassy but they could not or would not advise us.
Anyone else have similar experience and how you proceeded?
