US to scrap ‘Dropbox' visa renewals from September 2: What this means for Indians, students and workers
For years, Dropbox has been a lifesaver for eligible travellers, letting them skip the in-person interview and only submit their documents at a designated location. It was a fast-track, stress-saving route, especially for those with a clean visa history. But now, according to the fresh announcement, the shortcut is closing for almost everyone.
The change was announced last month as part of US President Donald Trump's sweeping 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act', signed on July 4 that US officials say is about 'enhancing security' and tightening screening. Immigration advocates find it different, warning of chaos, delays, and travel disruptions, particularly in countries like India, which sends thousands of H-1B workers and students to the US each year.
India is among the top users of the Dropbox facility. India's US consulates already face some of the longest visa wait times in the world. Removing Dropbox is expected to:
The impact is being felt early as some Dropbox slots in August and September 2025 have already been cancelled, with applicants redirected to in-person interviews.
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