US Visa Interview Waiver Program To End: What Changes And How It Will Affect You

News18

3 days ago

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The US will end its 'Dropbox' facility from September 2, requiring most visa applicants to attend in-person interviews
From September 2, 2025, the United States will end the Interview Waiver Program, popularly known as the 'Dropbox" facility, for most non-immigrant visa categories, including work and student visas.
The program currently allows certain applicants renewing visas to submit their documents at a designated location without attending an in-person interview at a US consulate, provided they meet eligibility criteria such as having a clean visa history or falling into specific age groups. This has helped many travellers, especially in high-demand countries like India, avoid long waits for interview slots.
The change will now require almost all applicants to attend an in-person interview with a US consular officer, ending these exemptions.
The policy change, announced on July 25, is part of the US government's push to enhance security and comes under President Donald Trump's sweeping immigration overhaul, the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act" signed on July 4. Officials argue that the tighter rules will improve vetting, but immigration advocates warn that the change will increase backlogs and delays, particularly for countries like India, which sends a large number of H-1B workers to the US.
The changes will also affect many B-1/B-2 tourist and business visa renewals, although some narrow exceptions remain.
Limited Exceptions
Interview waivers will still apply in a few situations. Holders of diplomatic or official visas, including those under categories A-1, A-2, C-3 (except attendants or personal employees), G-1 through G-4, NATO-1 through NATO-6, and TECRO E-1, remain eligible for waivers.
Certain tourist and business visa renewals may also qualify, but only if very specific conditions are met: the visa must be a full-validity B-1, B-2 or border crossing visa renewed within 12 months of expiry; the applicant must have been at least 18 years old when the prior visa was issued; there must be no history of visa refusal or any ineligibility; and the application must be submitted in the applicant's country of nationality or residence.
Even in such cases, consular officers retain the discretion to require an interview on a case-by-case basis.
How The Rule Change Will Impact Travel
The end of the Dropbox program for most categories is expected to significantly increase demand for interview slots at US consulates. This will likely lead to longer wait times, travel disruptions, and logistical challenges for applicants.
For H-1B and other work visa holders, this could mean delays in returning to the US after travel abroad, affecting employment start dates and project timelines. Students, exchange visitors, and families may also face difficulties in aligning travel with academic or personal schedules.
The impact is already being felt. Although the official implementation date is September 2, some Dropbox appointments scheduled for August and early September have already been cancelled, with applicants instructed to attend in-person interviews sooner than expected.
What Applicants Should Do
Those currently eligible for Dropbox renewals, especially H-1B workers, are being advised to complete the process before September 2 to avoid mandatory interviews. Employers and educational institutions may need to plan for potential staffing and onboarding delays. All applicants should regularly check the US embassy and consulate websites for updated appointment procedures and availability.
Other Visa-Related Changes
Alongside the Dropbox policy shift, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a major policy update related to the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA). Under the new rule, a visa will now be considered 'available" for CSPA age calculation purposes based on the Final Action Dates chart in the Department of State's Visa Bulletin, rather than other metrics.
Immigration advocates warn that this could have severe consequences for children of high-skilled immigrants from countries with long green card backlogs, particularly India and China, as it increases the risk of them 'ageing out" before becoming eligible for permanent residency.
In addition, the US has announced a $250 Visa Integrity Fee, set to take effect in 2026. Designed as a form of security deposit pegged to inflation, the fee may be refunded if visa holders meet compliance criteria.
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tags :
US H-1B visa US visa us visa rules
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New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
August 11, 2025, 09:13 IST
News explainers US Visa Interview Waiver Program To End: What Changes And How It Will Affect You
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