The Deepavali Day Act, a nationwide movement by Indian American leaders from different walks of life trying to get a federal holiday on Diwali in the US, is still in the dark after 4 years of its introduction. However, something is better than nothing. After Texas and Pennsylvania, California is all set to make Diwali a public holiday for its South Asian population.

PC: BAPS.org and California State Capitol

On June 2, the California State Assembly voted unanimously (78-0) to pass Assembly Bill 268, a proposal that would make Diwali an official state holiday. The bill was introduced by Assemblymembers Ash Kalra and Darshana Patel, California’s first two Hindu American legislators. Hailed as the best Diwali gift to California’s largest Indian-origin population in the US, the legislation – AB 268 – would enable community colleges, public schools, and state offices to close on Diwali.

The California State Assembly Bill 268 is now heading to the State Senate for approval. It is a significant step towards promoting inclusion of Indian immigrants who have been contributing to California’s growth in all spheres for decades. AB 268 would add the Festival of Lights not only to the list of California State holidays but also to the court calendars for judicial personnel. It would designate Diwali as a paid holiday for state employees in California.

Recognizing Diwali at the state level is not just about a day off. It is about embracing the cultural identity of Indian immigrants who have woven themselves into the socio-economic fabrics of the Golden State. Diwali is also a time for Indian families across California for a reunion at temples in the state. California is inching closer to saying, “Yes, Diwali belongs here too. Your traditions matter.”

“I’m grateful to my colleagues for their unanimous, bipartisan support of AB 268, which would have California officially recognize Diwali as a state holiday,” said Ash Kalra after the vote. Fellow Assemblymember Darshana Patel also highlighted the cultural significance of the bill, calling it a proud moment for the American Hindu community. The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) added, “Kudos to the US Indian Seniors for mobilizing the Hindu community on this important initiative.”

“We are happy for our customers from California, who would get to celebrate Diwali with peace of mind, most probably starting this year. Diwali celebration is grand not only in California but also in the northeast coast where many school districts observe Diwali as a holiday. May the Deepavali Day Act gain momentum this year to make the Festival of Lights a federal holiday” said the chief customer relations officer of Indian Eagle, the most trusted travel-booking partner of Indians in the US.

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After imposing a 3.5% remittance tax on international money transfers by non-US citizens, President Trump is looking to cash in on visa interview appointment delays at US embassies and consulates across the world. The US visa interview wait times continue to be a nightmare for Indians, especially B1/B2 visa applicants planning to visit America for personal or professional purposes. It takes several months to secure a B1/B2 visa interview slot, with the average wait time extending to nearly 9 months across the US Embassy and Consulates in India.

PC: Travel Beats | Indian Eagle

The Trump administration has proposed a premium service fee – $1000 – for US visa applicants to fast-track their interview appointments and bypass long waiting times. This is proposed in addition to the current processing fee of $185 for US tourist visa and student visa categories. With plans to be launched as a pilot program in December 2025, the new premium processing fee would enable you to secure early non-immigrant visa interview slots in India.

Cutting short, B1/B2 visas will particularly come with a hefty $1000+$185 fee given the US tourist visa interview delays at the US Embassy and Consulates in India, if President Trump’s proposal is approved. A significant number of US tourist visa applicants would take a hit, as evident from Hyderabad to Dallas, Chennai to Detroit, Kolkata to New York, Bengaluru to Seattle flights carrying Indians on B1/B2 visa.

Trump’s fast-track visa interview processing fee aims to monetize the demand for non-immigrant US visas and generate a revenue stream out of unusually long interview wait times. With over 10 million non-immigrant visas issued in 2024, including nearly 6 million tourist visas, the demand is high, and interview delays are often frustratingly long. By offering to expedite US visa interview appointments for a premium fee $1000, the Trump administration is to give travelers a choice: wait it out or pay to move up.

This proposed fast-track visa interview service is very much like President Trump’s vision of a Gold Card visa program that would sell US citizenship for $5 million, granting faster access to those willing to pay. Since returning to office in January 2025, Trump has quickly moved to reshape immigration policy by tightening screening procedures, revisiting visa categories, and now, introducing a paid route for faster visa appointments.

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Applying for US visas is now easier, faster, and smarter. The days of long visa waits at US embassies and consulates in India and other countries are numbered, as the US State Department is digitally transforming your visa journey by speeding up the process, from selection to queries to application to interviews. Let’s say hello to the US Visa Navigator, a new AI-powered digital assistant that is designed to remove hassles from the end-to-end application process.

PC: IndianEagle.com

What is US Visa Navigator Tool?

Integrated to the country-wise websites of US embassies and consulates, the Visa Navigator Tool is a real-time assistant to clear your confusion, address your queries, help you with latest updates, guide you step-by-step through application, and reduce unnecessary delays. It takes days, sometimes weeks, to get response to your visa-related queries via email. The new AI tool aims to eliminate delays by giving you case-specific answers in real time and around the clock.

With the online Visa Navigator Tool, the US State Department simplifies the way you navigate the visa selection and application process. It also eliminates the need to go through the US visa-related FAQ pages. It leaves little room for mistakes by breaking down the complex information and outlining the tedious application process step by step for your convenience. Precisely, no more waiting for clarification! No more delays for application!

Is it safe to use the Visa Navigator Tool?

The US State Department claims it to be safe for users. The Visa Navigator neither tracks you nor asks for your personal information. Unlike commercial chatbots, it does not even collect your name, IP address, gender, nationality, or any other identifiable detail. You can expect to get information, clarification, and guidance in real time, regardless of your identity and location, without being watched.

How USA Visa Navigator Tool Works

You can access the Visa Navigator Tool on a US embassy website or consulate. It has a clean, form-style interface (Google Forms). It walks you through a few simple steps to identify your needs, like whether you’re applying for a new visa or visa renewal, and in which category. As you click through, the tool tailors its advice based on your inputs.

First, the tool asks, “What can we help you with?” and gives several options like “Nonimmigrant visas” (tourism, work, study), “Immigrant visas” (green cards), “Green Card issues” (lost/expired), “Diplomatic/Official visas”, “Visa Fraud”, “US Citizen Services”, or “Other questions.” Selecting the right category narrows down the advice you’ll get.

Next, it asks something like “Which of the below best describes you?” with choices such as “I’m a new applicant”, “My visa is under processing”, or “I have a valid/expired US visa and have questions.” This way the US Visa Navigator knows whether you’re starting fresh or need help renewing or replacing a visa. Finally, the tool shows very specific topics (based on your selection so far). You pick the one that best matches your exact query.

If you’re planning a trip to the US from India, the Visa Navigator can be a huge help with your visa queries. This newly launched tool is embedded to the websites of the US Embassy and Consulates in India. Simply go to the visa section of the embassy or consulate website and click on the Visa Navigator link to get started.

The US State Department described it as “just the beginning and a part of the global push to digitize consular services and make the visa journey more transparent and user-friendly.” So, give Visa Navigator a try to get through the process without delay. This 24/7 digital guide could save you time, reduce stress, and help you avoid mistakes. The US Visa Navigator tool is getting you one step closer to your goal of visiting or living in America.

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Every other day comes with a surprise for immigrants in the United States. On April 11, a new USCIS rule for immigrants came into effect requiring all temporary visa holders, including H1B, and Green Card holders, to carry a valid ID proof all the time. And now, in a recent development, the US immigration agency (USCIS) issued an alert that updating your address with the US Postal Service (USPS) is not enough.

Are you moving to the US? Or, changing your residence within the US? It is crucial to update your new address or change of address with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It is now a mandate for all non-citizen visa holders and Green Card holders to update their address with USCIS within 10 days of relocation. Non-compliance may result in consequences. Non-compliance may result in fines and missed communications, such as biometrics appointment notices, green card renewal updates, or interview letters. However, certain visa holders are exempt to this USCIS rule for aliens.

PC: Freepik (paid image)

Why is it not enough to update your address only with USPS? Who must report address change to USCIS?

Many L1, O1, F1, and H1B visa holders are under the impression that updating their address change with USPS is enough to receive all official correspondence. However, USCIS’ most recent social media post clarified that all non-citizens in the US (except A & G visa holders and visitors under the Visa Waiver Program) must update their address directly with the immigration agency.

“All aliens in the U.S. must report a change of address to USCIS within 10 days of moving. This reporting requirement does not apply to A and G visa holders and visa waiver visitors. Failure to comply may result in fines or removal.”

How to update your address change with USCIS

USCIS recommends using the Enterprise Change of Address (E-COA) tool for quick and secure address updates. Accessible through your USCIS online account, this digital option eliminates paperwork and allows you to update multiple pending applications by entering the receipt numbers. It offers faster processing and real-time confirmation once your address is successfully updated in the USCIS records. To begin, visit the official USCIS Change of Address tool.

How to update your address offline If you don’t have a USCIS account?

If you don’t have a USCIS online account, you can update your latest US address by submitting Form AR-11, the Alien’s Change of Address Card. You can download it from the USCIS website, fill it out manually, and mail it to the address listed on the form. However, this process may take longer and it does not provide for an automated update to your address in the USCIS system.

Link your pending or approved immigration benefit requests when updating your address

When updating your change of address with USCIS online, it’s important to include the receipt numbers for each of your pending or approved immigration benefit requests. This ensures that your new address in USA is correctly associated with all active cases, preventing application processing delays and missed correspondence

Who are exempted from the USCIS mandate on updating change of address?

A and G visa holders are diplomats, foreign government officials, and employees of international organizations such as the United Nations or the World Bank. These visa holders are typically exempt from the standard immigration processes and requirements that apply to other non-citizens, including the 10-day address update rule.

Also Check: Travel to India and Fly Back to USA worry-free with These Essential Documents

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Not all news stories of travel nightmares in the US are rumors. Unfortunately, some are true. One such news of stringent security screening and harassment at US airports involves Shruti Chaturvedi, an Indian business woman who supports rural communities with business opportunities. She recently traveled to Alaska from India and had a harrowing experience as she was detained for long 8 hours at Anchorage Airport. All because a power bank in her luggage was deemed suspicious. What unfolded during her detention took not only Indians but the world aback.

She wrote about her ordeal on X.com, “Imagine being detained by Police and FBI for 8 hours, being questioned the most ridiculous things, physically checked by a male officer on camera, stripped off warm wear, mobile phone, wallet, kept in chilled room, not allowed to use a restroom, or make a single phone call, made to miss your flight – all because the airport security found your power bank in handbag ‘suspicious’.”

PC: instagram.com/shrutichaturvedii

This not just distressed her beyond measure but also ruined her trip to the US. This incident involving Shruti Chaturvedi is an eyeopener for Indians and others planning to visit USA on B1/B2 Visa. It has raised significant concerns over the intensified scrutiny and harsh treatment of international travelers at the ports of entry in Trump’s America. Reports of apprehension among tourists and visitors being frisked and interrogated for hours have prompted several countries, including the UK, Canada and Germany, to update advisories for their citizens traveling to USA.

The discovery of a power bank in carry-on bags is not too suspicious to detain travelers. However, the above incident apart, international airlines are dissuading passengers from carrying and using power banks on flights. Of late, several airlines have updated their cabin baggage policy to evade inflight fire incidents that power banks with lithium-ion batteries may cause.

EVA Air has banned the use and charging of power banks aboard flights starting 1 March 2025. Singapore Airlines and its low-cost subsidiary Scoot have also barred passengers from using power banks and plugging the devices into the in-seat USB ports, effective from 1 April 2025. Cathay Pacific, Qantas, and Emirates have introduced similar rules.

Booking travel to USA from India? It’s crucial to stay informed about specific airline policies regarding power banks and other electronic devices. While no major international airlines operating flights to USA from India have bans carrying power banks outright, the guidelines have been tightened. Typically, power banks are allowed only in carry-on luggage and must not be used or charged in the air.

Can I carry a power bank on my flight to USA? 

Yes, you may carry in compliance of the policy of the airline that you are flying with. Most airlines allow power banks in carry-on bags, not in checked baggage. However, the onus of checking the updated airline policy is on you for hassle-free arrival in the US. You may be allowed to bring a power bank (with limited capacity) on board, but you may be barred from using it during a flight for safety concerns. Many airlines allow power banks with limited capacity, to say under 100Wh.

The post This Indian Business Woman Shares Her Ordeal of Being Detained for a Power Bank at US Airport; An Eye-opening Incident appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Re-entry to the United States is challenging these days even for legal immigrants, amid President Trump’s immigration crackdown at ports of entry across the country. Green Card holders, who are lawful permanent residents in the US, are not exempt to the scrutiny that the CBP officers have intensified to assess the immigrant status and re-admissibility of foreign nationals (aliens) returning from their home countries or a trip abroad. Precisely, the Trump administration’s no-compromise efforts to fix loopholes in immigration and security has become a gnawing concern for legal immigrants too.

Elderly Indians among Green Card holders, who are flying back to USA after a winter trip to India, are in for an unprecedented surprise on arrival, as the CBP officers are interrogating them and inspecting their documents. Some cases have been reported wherein senior citizens faced intense pressure to sign Form I-407 to voluntarily surrender their Green Cards on arrival at US airports, according to immigration attorneys.

This AI-generated image is for illustration purpose only

Some elderly Green Card holders spend winter months in India as they are not yet accustomed to bone-rattling winters in America. They are among the targets of ‘Green Card abandonment’. The US Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) states that those who spend more than 365 days in a calendar year outside the US are subject to ‘Green Card abandonment.’ At the same time, they can exercise their right to challenge this in court.

What is more worrisome is that a period of 180 days outside the US, even a shorter absence, has become a premise for the CBP officers to heavily scrutinize Green Card holders, senior citizens in particular.

What are the rights of Green Card holders at the US ports of entry in the above scenario? Immigration attorneys are receiving such queries every day. “Generally, an individual’s Green Card cannot be revoked at the port of entry unless he/she voluntarily signs Form I-407 to surrender it,” Kripa Upadhyay, an immigration attorney in Seattle, was quoted saying in an article by The Economic Times. “Only an immigration judge can take away a Green Card, so individuals should not sign Form I-407,” said another Indian-origin attorney in the US.

Mostly, Green Card holders’ absence from the US for 180 days or more in a calendar year, and their failure to maintain strong ties to the US are triggering CBP officers who have legal rights to inspect and interrogate immigrants returning from their home countries. At the same time, Green Card holders reserve the right to a hearing before an immigration judge if there are attempts to revoke their lawful permanent residence status, like secondary inspections, legal notices, unjust detention on arrival, and threats of deportation. A lawyer can be hired to represent their case during a court hearing.

Immigration attorneys caution Green Card holders against making frequent travel and spending more than 180 days outside the US in a year. If an individual has history of secondary inspections, he/she may come under the CBP scanner on return from overseas travel. It is recommended that Green Card holders maintain tangible evidence of their strong ties to the US, like employment, family, property, or filing tax returns during their overseas stay for months. They can show the evidence during a routine inspection or additional scrutiny by the US Customs officers.

As part of the immigration law enforcement by President Trump, Green Card holders must have a re-entry permit for re-admission to the USA after spending 365 days or more abroad. In view of this, immigration attorneys advise Green Card holders to apply for a re-entry permit before flying out of the US for a year. CBP officers have the right to deny re-admission to you for not having a re-entry permit. In short, you should carefully plan a long absence from the US soil to maintain your LPR status.

Immigration attorneys advise Green Card holders to cooperate with the CBP officers if their electronic devices, luggage, and/or social media accounts are examined. The US Customs officer may not need a warrant to check your devices and luggage for prohibited items, documents, or anti-US sentiments that could impact your re-entry to the country after a period of stay abroad. Everything from your belongings to travel history and social media communications is under the CBP scanner these days.

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No matter President Trump latches the door of America to keep the less affluent, the marginalized, and the underprivileged outside; some journeys from the streets or slums in India are destined for success in the United States, braving barriers and borders. Among them is the journey of Anuja from the streets of Old Delhi to the Oscars in Los Angeles. Anuja is an Oscar-nominated short film and a 9-year-old orphaned math whiz, who lives with her elder sister and works in a seedy garment factory.

Nominated for the Best Live Action Short Film at the 97^th Academy Awards, Anuja is a poignant drama on the struggles and aspirations of two budding women by a team of Indian-origin women producers, including Mindy Kaling, Guneet Monga, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Suchitra Mattai. From filmmaker Satyajit Ray’s Pather Panchali to Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay to the present-day Anuja, the stories of innocence transit into journeys of experience – the experience that is grim and gloomy.

PC: Instagram.com/anujathefilm

Anuja and her elder sister, Palak not only stitch clothes in the garment factory but also weave dreams of change for better out of cut pieces (leftover fabric). They remain stuck between a system that perpetuates child labor and a narrow path to escape the system. The bags they secretly make from cut pieces earn them some rupees, a part of which buys them short-lived happiness from mundane luxuries (watching a movie and munching popcorn) and the remaining is saved for an uncertain future.

Like Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s short stories, the short film Anuja has an inconclusive ending. The curtain drops when Anuja, the protagonist, stands still contemplating on the road that diverges in two different directions – one to the factory where she toils for two meals a day and the other to a scholarship for free schooling. It represents the dilemma, mental conflict at large, of hundreds of thousands of children like Anuja, from slums and streets across India, who are tossed between the present and the future, reality and dreams.

Let’s now meet the real hero, Sajda Pathan, who lends absolute authenticity to essaying the titular character, Anuja, and brings it to life. Abandoned by her parents, Sajda Pathan grew up in the claustrophobic lanes of Old Delhi and survived through begging outside a temple before she was rescued by Salaam Baalak Trust (SBT), a nonprofit NGO supporting street children in Delhi-NCR with non-formal education. Salaam Baalak Trust was founded with the proceeds from Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay which was nominated for an Oscar at the 61^st Academy Awards.

Unlike Anuja whose mathematical brilliance was exploited by her employer in the film, Sajda Pathan’s acting talent became a force of change for her fortune. Sajda shines as the protagonist Anuja as it is her second film. She debuted on the silver screen as a lead character in The Braid (La Tresse), a 2023 French feature film.

The Oscar-nominated Anuja short film is strongly backed by Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Guneet Monga as executive producers. Guneet Monga was the executive producer of two Oscar-winning documentary films – Period. End of Sentence in 2019 and The Elephant Whisperers in 2023. She has produced a galaxy of critically acclaimed films, including Massan, Rang Rasiya, That Girl in Yellow Boots, Pagglait, and The Lunchbox.

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On one hand, Elon Musk-led DOGE team is working towards reducing federal deficit, and on the other hand, President Trump is coming up with ways to fuel the US economy. One such move is Trump’s Gold Card – the quickest route to US citizenship for the affluent. The Trump 2.0 administration introduced a new immigration initiative – ‘Gold Card’ program – with a hefty price tag for foreign millionaires seeking to bypass the Green Card backlog. The American Dream would soon be elusive to the less affluent.

This AI-generated image is for illustration purpose only

What is Trump’s Gold Card for rich immigrants?

Scheduled to be launched in the next two weeks, the Gold Card program promises to lay the easiest and shortest pathway to the most coveted US citizenship at a whopping cost of $5 million. The new US investor visa is designed to simplify the immigration process and reduce bureaucratic delays for high-net-worth foreign individuals. President Trump’s $5-million Gold Card visa is not an alternative to the existing EB-5 Visa. Rather, it aims to put an end to EB-5 Visa which the Trump government dismisses as “full of nonsense, ridiculous, and fraud.”

Another objective of replacing the EB5 investment visa with the new ‘Gold Card’ is to pump trillion dollars of foreign investment into the US economy. At a recent press conference, Trump projected that issuing approximately one million Gold Cards could inject around $5 trillion into the US economy. He went on to suggest that if up to ten million cards were issued, the total investment might reach an astounding $50 trillion—a move he believes would significantly lessen the nation’s $35 trillion debt burden.

Impact of Trump’s Gold Card Visa on Indians in USA

Many Indians on H1B, L1, and O1 visas have obtained lawful permanent residency through the EB5 investor program. A switch from a non-immigrant work visa to an immigrant visa like EB5 became their favorite path to secure a Green Card and live the American Dream. The EB-5 visa requires Green Card seekers to create minimum 10 jobs in USA by investing $800,000-$1.05 million, one-fifth of USD 5 million for the new ‘Gold Card’ visa. With EB-5 Visa being replaced with an exorbitantly priced Gold Card, non-immigrant Indians may find it impossible to obtain a Green Card through investment.

Also Read: Indian American CEO shares his short journey from H1B visa to Green Card

The premium US residency model or Gold Card signals a paradigm shift in Trump’s take on immigration. This mirrors the global trend of wealth-based immigration among countries vying to attract high-net-worth individuals. The UAE, Portugal, and Australia have been actively promoting golden visa schemes. Henley & Partners’ 2025 Global Residence Program Index ranks Greece as the top destination in this space, followed by Switzerland and Portugal.  The US’ entry to this competitive space, with Trump’s Gold Card program, commodifies lawful permanent residency and American citizenship.

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Everything from USAID funds to federal spending, H1B visa extension, H4 EAD, F1 OPT program, and ‘dunki’ routes for illegal immigration is under the ‘Trump 2.0’ scanner. Even B1/B2 visa, a record number of which is issued to Indians every year, is not exempt to the restrictive measures in the new US government. After liberal issuance of the US tourist visa to a fair percentage of two million Indians who traveled to USA in 2024, denial of B2 visa is again in the news.

The difficulty of cracking US visitor visa interviews has increased manifold in recent times. The viral news of B2 visa rejection to a 27-year-old senior Data analyst on career break brought it to the public notice one month ago. He wanted to visit his sister in California before he would start MBA studies at Indian School of Business in Hyderabad. But he was denied the US visitor visa under 214(b) though he showed a receipt of Rs 7 lakh paid to the B-school demonstrating his strong intention to come back to India for higher studies.

Six months ago, ‘How to crack B2 visa interview’ was trending after Arun Yogiraj, the famous sculptor of Ram Lalla idol for Ayodhya Ram Temple, failed to get a US tourist visa for a World Kannada Conference in Virginia and other events in the east coast. US visa delays and denials are common stories these days. Rejected visa applicants are scouring through Quora, Reddit, and Facebook for guidance on common reasons for B2 visa rejection.

Visa overstay during your past visit to USA is one of the most common reasons for B1/B2 visa rejection. If you extended your stay in USA for medical emergency or any other unavoidable reason, which was not reported to the concerned authorities, you are likely to face rejection of B2 visa renewal due to overstaying the visa period. In January 2024, an elderly couple from Gujarat were denied boarding to a Mumbai-Atlanta flight as their visa was revoked without their knowledge. Leaving no space for visa overstay is one of the promises that President Trump had made during his election campaigns.

What is being strictly enforced on the US visitor visa holders in Trump’s America is their arrival with confirmed return flight tickets. Previously, B1/B2 visa holders from India were able to enter the US with open flight tickets for return journey, taking advantage of loopholes in the system. Open tickets are unscheduled tickets for passengers with uncertain travel dates. It allows passengers to schedule their travel within a period stipulated by the airline. But not anymore! In the last week of January, an NRI shared that his parents on B2 visa were denied entry at Newark Airport because their return flight was not confirmed (they had open tickets).

Visa rejections not only ruin one’s travel plans but also cause dismay and incur financial losses. Over the past 12 months, the rejection of tourist visas to several countries including the US, the UK, and the UAE has cost Indians Rs 662 crore in loss. The US visa rejection rate accounted for 16.5% of every 100 visa applications submitted in 2024. With a shorter Dropbox eligibility window for Indians, B2 visa applicants are bracing for a turbulent road to America, from longer in-person interview wait times to potential travel disruptions.

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Effective 10 February 2025, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services revised the US visa interview waiver (Dropbox) eligibility for Indians seeking to renew their non-immigrant visas such as H1B, H4, and F-1. The Dropbox program simplifies the visa renewal process by eliminating the need to attend in-person visa interviews at the US Embassy and Consulates for those eligible for it.

The Dropbox eligibility criteria for Indians have changed from 48 months to 12 months. Precisely, the window of visa expiration, which was broad earlier, has been reduced to 12 months. Starting 10 FEB 2025, you will be eligible for a visa renewal interview waver if your visa is valid or expired within the past 12 months. This update equally applies to individual visa holders and their dependent family members.

This image is AI-generated

“My H1B visa expired before 12 months from now. I have a Dropbox appointment scheduled in March. But the new update renders me ineligible for in-person view interview waiver. Should I cancel the Dropbox appointment and book a new interview appointment?”

Hundreds of similar queries are pouring in on social media and forums. A close look at the updated eligibility criteria for US visa renewal interview waiver or Dropbox will help get your queries addressed:

• You’re a citizen or lawful resident of India.
• You have a previous US visa in the same class as the visa for which you wish to apply
• Your visa in the same class is still valid or expired within the last 12 months
• Your most recent visa was not lost, stolen, cancelled, revoked, or marked CWOP
• You have no refusals for a visa in any class after the most recent visa issuance

Dropbox appointment eligibility criteria for children under 14 years

• Children should apply before their 14^th birthday
• In B1/B2 visa class, children must submit photocopies of both parents’ passport biographic information and the valid US visa page
• In any other visa class, children must submit photocopies of either parent’s passport biographic information and the valid US visa page.

Dropbox appointment eligibility criteria for those aged 80 years or older

• They should apply on or after 80^th birthday
• Their most recent visa application was not refused.

Reduced Dropbox eligibility window and its impact on Indians

It has hit hard many visa holders, particularly those who have already traveled to India for pre-scheduled Dropbox appointments, as per the interview waiver eligibility criteria valid before this February 10. With the revised criteria having taken effect, their Dropbox appointments stand automatically cancelled, requiring them to book fresh appointments for in-person consular interviews at the US Embassy or Consulates. Restricted travel to the United States, the country of residence and employment for them, is a real ordeal unless their visas are renewed.

The interview waiver rule change for visa renewals has disrupted many Indians’ pre-planned travel to India for Dropbox appointments in February 2025. It has left them at a loss over forced cancellation of flight tickets to India. Those who booked non-refundable flights without travel insurance may incur a hefty loss against trip cancelation closer to their scheduled departure dates.

The revision of the Dropbox eligibility window back to the pre-pandemic 12 month mandate is likely to cause travel disruption for US tourist visa holders in India. Those who were eligible for B2 visa interview waivers before 10 February 2025 will face longer in-person interview wait times, which is currently 450 days on average at the US Embassy and Consulates in India.

FAQs: How US Visa Interview Waiver Update Impacts Indians on H1B, H4, B1/B2, L1/L2, F1/F2 

My H1B visa stamp expired 11 months ago. It will be 12^th month once February ends. Am I eligible for a visa interview waiver next month? In March, I will be into the 13^th month of my H1B visa expiration?

You may not be eligible for a Dropbox appointment given the new change in the eligibility criteria. You will have to apply for an in-person interview appointment in India.

I recently changed my status from H1B to H4. In view of the new update on the Dropbox appointment criteria for Indians, do I have to schedule an in-person interview? Or, it falls in the same class?

You would have been eligible for an interview waiver for visa renewal in the same class as your previous one (H1B). Your current visa status (H4) requires you to apply for an in-person interview appointment.

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