{"id":34882,"date":"2025-02-13T14:34:55","date_gmt":"2025-02-13T19:34:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.indianeagle.com\/travelbeats\/?p=34882"},"modified":"2025-02-14T10:47:05","modified_gmt":"2025-02-14T15:47:05","slug":"us-visa-interview-waiver-dropbox-eligibility-for-indians","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.indianeagle.com\/travelbeats\/us-visa-interview-waiver-dropbox-eligibility-for-indians\/","title":{"rendered":"USA Revises Dropbox or In-person Visa Interview Waiver Eligibility Criteria for Indians"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Dropbox eligibility criteria for Indians have changed from 48 months to 12 months<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n

\"US

This image is AI-generated<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cMy 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?\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  • You\u2019re a citizen or lawful resident of India.<\/li>\n
  • You have a previous US visa in the same class as the visa for which you wish to apply<\/li>\n
  • Your visa in the same class is still valid or expired within the last 12 months<\/li>\n
  • Your most recent visa was not lost, stolen, cancelled, revoked, or marked CWOP<\/li>\n
  • You have no refusals for a visa in any class after the most recent visa issuance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Dropbox appointment eligibility criteria for children under 14 years<\/strong><\/h4>\n
      \n
    • Children should apply before their 14th<\/sup> birthday<\/li>\n
    • In B1\/B2 visa class, children must submit photocopies of both parents\u2019 passport biographic information and the valid US visa page<\/li>\n
    • In any other visa class, children must submit photocopies of either parent\u2019s passport biographic information and the valid US visa page.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Dropbox appointment eligibility criteria for those aged 80 years or older<\/strong><\/h4>\n
        \n
      • They should apply on or after 80th<\/sup> birthday<\/li>\n
      • Their most recent visa application was not refused.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Reduced Dropbox eligibility window and its impact on Indians<\/strong><\/h3>\n

        It has hit hard many visa holders, particularly those who have already traveled to India for pre-scheduled Dropbox appointments<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n

        The interview waiver rule change for visa renewals has disrupted many Indians\u2019 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.<\/p>\n

        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.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

        FAQs: How US Visa Interview Waiver Update Impacts Indians on H1B, H4, B1\/B2, L1\/L2, F1\/F2\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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

        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.<\/p>\n

        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?<\/strong><\/p>\n

        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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":34886,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[12],"tags":[286,180],"yoast_head":"\nUS Visa Interview Waiver or Dropbox Appointment Criteria: New Update for Indians<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Check latest news on US visa interview waiver or Dropbox appointment eligibility criteria for Indians in USA. 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