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NDTV
a day ago
- Business
- NDTV
US To Scrap "Dropbox" Visa Renewals From September 2: Here's What To Know
The United States has announced the closure of its "Dropbox" visa renewal, officially known as the Interview Waiver Program, for the majority of non-immigrant categories, including H-1B, H-4, F, M, O1, J, and L1. Beginning September 2, 2025, all candidates, including children under 14 and seniors over 79, will have to appear in person for an interview with a consular officer. The amendment was proposed by the Trump administration to strengthen security and immigration screening. What Was the Dropbox Program? The Dropbox feature enabled qualified candidates to submit necessary papers at specified locations instead of attending in-person interviews. Those with a spotless visa record particularly appreciated the faster and less stressful process it provided. Limited Exceptions Certain groups will continue to have waiver privileges. Holders of diplomatic or official visas such as TECRO E-1, NATO-1 to NATO-6, G-1 to G-4, A-1, A-2, and C-3 (apart from attendants or personal staff) are still eligible. A limited group of B-1/B-2 tourist or business renewals that meet strict criteria may still be eligible. However, even these may be referred to interviews at the consular officer's discretion. Implications for Indians Indians are among the communities making the most of the Dropbox method. The wait times for visas at US consulates in India are already among the longest in the world. Dropbox removal is expected to: Heightened demand and longer wait times at consulates Delays in onboarding H-1B workers affecting project timelines for Indian IT and other firms Academic disruptions, as students face holdups in visa processing Strain on families, with both children and elderly applicants now needing interviews Some Dropbox slots in August and September 2025 have already been withdrawn, forcing applicants to attend in-person interviews, which already indicates the early impact. What Candidates Should Do In order to avoid required interviews, current Dropbox-eligible applicants-especially H-1B workers-are encouraged to complete their renewals by September 2. Universities and employers may also need to modify their schedules to accommodate delays in visa processing. Candidates should frequently check the websites of US embassies and consulates for the most recent information on appointment schedules and available slots. For Indians who depend on speedy visa renewals, immigration experts caution that these changes may cause significant logistical challenges and travel disruptions. It signifies a loss of convenience and perhaps costly delays, just as systems like Dropbox were streamlined to promote easy renewals.
News18
3 days ago
- Business
- News18
US Visa Interview Waiver Program To End: What Changes And How It Will Affect You
Last Updated: 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. Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : US H-1B visa US visa us visa rules view comments Location : 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 Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
