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.
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“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 14th 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 80th 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 12th month once February ends. Am I eligible for a visa interview waiver next month? In March, I will be into the 13th 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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I have upcoming drop box appointment on march 4 which was scheduled prior to new rule . Am I still not eligible for drop box ?
Hi Chaya! If your visa expired within the past 12 months and you are seeking to renew it in the same visa class, only then you continue to be eligible for a Dropbox appointment.
Where is the official source for this change
My J1 visa expired in August 24. And my visa changed to H1B.
Do I will be still eligible for dropbox
Hi Saba! In case of visa status change, you may not be eligible for Dropbox appointment as per the new update.
My spouse and 5yr old son has an Dropbox appointment on 3rd march . The visa was expired onJan 2024,As per the new rule both are nnot t eligible but as the son is minor ha can go for Dropbox , how about the mother does she also eligible with the son
Hi Raj! We have little knowledge of this. It is recommended you contact the US Embassy for accurate information.
Hi my visa expired on March 1 2024, and my appointment is on February 25, 2025. I’m still under 12 months. But I noticed in the new application questionnaire, there is a note which recommends that the dropbox should be scheduled atleast 7 business days before the 12 months expiration date. In my case my appointment is scheduled 5 days before the expiration. Am I still eligible for dropbox? Thanks
My F1 visa expired on November 28, 2024. I have a dropbox appointment on March 7. From this article, I assume that I’m not eligible for interview waiver since my visa class has changed (from F1 to H1B), and I’ve to book interview appointment. Can you please confirm?
Hi Samir! As per the new update, you need to book an in-person interview appointment in case of visa status change.
Hi.. my F1 will expire in April 2025, but I have changed from f1 to h1 in November 2023..
Planning to visit India in June 2025.
Is it mandatory to select Hyderabad as interview location?
Or can I select Mumbai as-well?
Thanks
Hi
My B2 visa was issued when my age was less than 14 years and the visa is not expired yet.
My age now is 17 years plus, can I travel to US using exisitng B2 Visa?
Hi Kushal! It is recommended that you contact the US Embassy or Consulates for this query.
Hi, I answered ‘Yes’ for Interview waiver eligibility question since my previous visa (H1b) has been expired within 48 months. Later, I paid visa my fee and currently looking for OFC appointment (not booked). My question is, do I need to close current and start the new application at same page? If yes, does previous visa fee can apply to the new application.
Hi Prahal! As far as we known, the previous visa (paid) may apply to the new application.
My J-1 visa expired on September 16, 2023. I am still with the same institute as mentioned in my previous DS-2019 and visa. Am I still eligible for the visa renewal via the IW Dropbox?
Hi Neetesh! Your J-1 visa expired more than 12 months before February 10, 2025. According to the latest update, you may not be eligible for a Dropbox appointment.
My current visa L1B is valid until end of march and I’m currently working on converting the visa to L1A.. If i visit india after my converstion is done.. I’m I eligible for Dropbox? Does L1B and and L1A falls under same class?
Hi Kumar! We have little knowledge of this visa classification. It is recommended that you contact the US Embassy or Consulates for clarification.
Please help!
In my profile, I am not getting the option to close/start an application. I cancelled my previous dropbox appointment based on the new rule. i want to book in-person interview but there is no option. Do I need to start from fresh with a new email?
What is the current rule for B2 Tourist Visa Extension? Till what time the Drop box requirement is present after which in person interview is needed?
My parents’ B1/B2 visas expired 14 months ago, and we booked a renewal appointment by completing the necessary process on January 23, 2025. We received an appointment for February 11, 2025, and submitted our application at the Pune location on that date. At that time, no one was aware of the new rule announced on February 18, which was backdated effective from 10th Feb 2025.
The Dropbox process for my parents was completed on February 11, and their application was accepted and sent to the Delhi Embassy, where the status shows it was received on February 13, 2025.
However, since then, there have been no updates or progress. We have been continuously following up with customer care, but they are only providing static responses that do not confirm or provide any solid information.
We are very concerned about the lack of communication and the status of their application. We would greatly appreciate any information if you can share. Do we still applicable for Dropbox as case was accepted with on that day rules? Do we need to book in person interview? then whats process and when?
Hi Sharav! It seems the application might have been cancelled later, since the update took effect on February 10.
My H1B is stamped and my wife’s H4 is also stamped. My kids are aged 11 and 8, are they eligible for H4 interview waiver?