Latest news with #InterviewWaiverProgramme
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
US to end 'Dropbox' visa renewals from Sept 2: Students, workers to be hit
The United States will soon shut down its Interview Waiver Programme—better known as the 'Dropbox' facility—for most non-immigrant visas, including work and student categories. The change takes effect from September 2, 2025, and will force the majority of applicants to attend in-person interviews, even if they have a clean visa history. For years, Dropbox allowed eligible travellers to skip the face-to-face interview and submit documents at a designated location instead. It was a faster, less stressful option, particularly for Indian professionals and students. But as part of US President Donald Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act', signed on July 4, the policy is being rolled back in the name of 'enhancing security' and tightening screening. Immigration attorney Emily Neumann warned, 'If you're planning international travel or visa renewal this autumn, don't assume you're eligible for interview waiver (Dropbox) processing anymore. The State Department is ending waiver eligibility for most visa categories, including H-1B, L-1, F-1, and J-1.' What is changing under the new policy • Most interview waivers for visa renewals, including H-1B, H-4, L1, F, M, O1 and J, will end. • Children under 14 and seniors over 79 will no longer qualify. • Only certain diplomatic or official visas—A, G, NATO and TECRO—remain eligible. • A narrow set of B-1/B-2 tourist and business visa renewals can still avoid interviews, but only under strict criteria. • Even if you qualify, a consular officer can still require an interview. Why the change hits India hard India is among the top users of the Dropbox service. US consulates in India already face some of the world's longest visa wait times, and removing this facility is expected to: • Spike demand for interview slots • Push wait times into several months • Disrupt project schedules for companies employing H-1B staff • Delay academic plans for students Some applicants have already seen Dropbox slots for August and September cancelled, with instructions to book in-person interviews instead. What applicants should do if appointments are cancelled • Check your email for a cancellation notice from your US consular post. • Log in to your visa profile to confirm and rebook. • Restart the application to respond to updated eligibility questions. • Note that cancellations do not count towards your maximum number of reschedules. Practical impact for travellers and employers 'The impact of these changes will be immediate and far-reaching,' said immigration lawyer Reddy. 'Consular posts will see increased demand for appointments, especially in high-volume categories such as student and work visas. Wait times, backlogs and delays are expected through the autumn and holiday seasons.' Reddy added, 'Anyone in the United States on valid status but with an expired visa—or whose most recent visa was in a different category—should be cautious about travelling. These individuals will now need an in-person interview before re-entering the US, and given the risk of delays or denials, non-essential travel should be avoided.' Steps to prepare for the change • Begin the DS-160 application early and pay the MRV fee promptly. • Gather all supporting documents in advance. • Monitor the website of your local US embassy or consulate for updates. • Allow extra time for both interview booking and visa processing. • Employers should adjust onboarding or travel plans for staff accordingly. Who can still use the interview waiver A narrow set of applicants will retain interview waiver eligibility: • Diplomatic and official visas: A-1, A-2, C-3 (except attendants/servants), G-1 to G-4, NATO-1 to NATO-6, and TECRO E-1. • Certain B-1/B-2 tourist and business visa or Border Crossing Card renewals—only if the previous visa was full-validity, expired within the last 12 months, was issued when the applicant was over 18, and is being renewed in the same category in the country of nationality or residence, with no prior refusals or ineligibility. Even then, consular officers may require an interview at their discretion.
India Today
3 days ago
- Business
- India Today
H-1B visa rule change: In-person interviews a must, may hit Indian techies
The US Department of State has scrapped the Interview Waiver Programme, also known as the "Dropbox" facility, effective September 2, which will require most non-immigrant visa applicants, including H-1B, L1, and F1 visas, to attend in-person interviews at US embassies or consulates. The move is expected to have a major impact on Indian tech workers, who make up the largest share of H-1B recipients warn that applicants may face longer waits for visa appointments in India, travel delays, and even the risk of losing their work authorisation if they can't return in time. Visa experts are urging applicants to plan early and keep a close watch on appointment Dropbox facility has been a major convenience for eligible travellers, allowing them to bypass the in-person visa interview by simply submitting their documents at a designated centre. Only a few categories of applicants remain eligible for interview waivers under the updated rules. These include diplomatic and official visa applicants, such as those applying under the A-1, A-2, C-3 (excluding attendants or servants), G-1 to G-4, NATO-1 to NATO-6, and TECRO E-1 visa applicants renewing full-validity B-1, B-2, or B1/B2 visas – or Border Crossing Cards for Mexican nationals – within 12 months of their previous visa's expiration may also qualify, provided they were at least 18 years old at the time their prior visa was TECHIES COULD LOSE WORK PERMITS: EXPERTS WARNEDThese changes are likely to have a significant impact on Silicon Valley, where H-1B visas play a key role in helping companies recruit skilled talent – most of whom are from make up the largest share of H-1B visa holders. In 2022, Indian nationals secured 77% of the 3,20,000 approved H-1B visas, and in fiscal year 2023, this figure remained high at 72.3% of the 3,86,000 visas Hing, a professor of Law and Migration Studies at the University of San Francisco, said the new visa interview requirement might delay processing and will also impact Silicon Valley."This is going to entail a delay in their processing. It can be costly, because [visa holders] may be stuck, for example, in India or China, and they won't be able to get back to work," NBC quoted Bill Hing as noted that the requirement for in-person interviews will present a particular challenge for visa holders whose home countries are far professor added that with the Interview Waiver Program, many visa holders have been able to get their renewal paperwork completed in just a few weeks. But with the requirement for in-person interviews, he expects the approval process to take longer, NBC Duehning, a partner in the BAL immigration law firm's San Francisco office, also said visa interview delays could cost H-1B workers their jobs."We can only anticipate that the wait times at the consulates in India are going to get very, very long," quoted Duehning as saying."If they don't get an appointment in time, they could lose their work authorisation," he Golding, an immigrant law practitioner from San Jose, California, expects a surge of in-person appointments at consulates, as well as delays due to the demand, NBC reported."So, it's really important for people to make those plans ahead of time and make sure their applications are fully complete, so there are no delays once they get in front of an officer," NBC quoted her as per US Citizenship and Immigration Services, California leads the nation with over 61,000 H-1B visa holders. Among the top ten US companies sponsoring these visas are Bay Area giants Meta (ranked 4th), Apple (5th), and Google (6th), according to a report in NBC Bay H-1B annual limit is 65,000, plus a 20,000 exemption for individuals with an advanced degree from a US Ends
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First Post
4 days ago
- Business
- First Post
How end of ‘Dropbox' visa renewals in US from September 2 will impact Indians
From September 2, 2025, most non-immigrant visa holders in the US will no longer be able to renew their visas through the 'Dropbox' facility and will instead have to appear for in-person interviews. The Interview Waiver Programme, commonly called the 'Dropbox', has for years allowed eligible travellers to skip in-person interviews by submitting their documents at designated centres read more It will affect those renewing H1-B, L1, F1, or O1 visas. Image: Moneycontrol The United States is officially ending its Interview Waiver Programme, also known as the 'Dropbox' facility, for most non-immigrant visas starting September 2, 2025. With this change, most applicants will need to attend in-person interviews before a US consular officer. ALSO READ | Why Indian kids may land up waiting longer for a US green card The move, which covers student and work visa categories, is expected to significantly affect thousands of Indian professionals and students who had planned to renew their visas. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In this explainer, we look at what the facility was and how its removal will impact Indians. Let's find out: What is the 'Dropbox' programme? For years, this option has allowed eligible travellers to avoid in-person interviews by submitting their documents at a designated centre. It was a quicker route, especially helpful for those with a clean visa record. To be eligible, applicants needed to meet certain requirements, such as having no visa violations or falling within specific age limits. With this change, most applicants will need to attend in-person interviews before a US consular officer. File image/AP What are the changes? How will it affect Indians? From September 2, 2025, Dropbox renewals will no longer be available for most non-immigrant visa types, and applicants will have to attend in-person interviews. This change comes after a directive from the US Department of State issued on July 25. It will affect those renewing H1-B, L1, F1, or O1 visas. Even children under 14 and adults over 79 will now need to appear before a US consular officer for an interview abroad. ALSO READ | Rs 13-lakh bond to enter US? How Trump's new visa rule could affect tourists The change was announced last month under US President Donald Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act', signed on July 4. US officials say the measure is aimed at 'enhancing security' and tightening checks. However, immigration supporters warn of confusion, long waits, and travel issues, especially in countries like India, which sends large numbers of H-1B workers and students to the US every year, The Indian Express reported. Notable big changes Most interview waivers for visa renewals, including H-1B, H-4, L1, F, M, O1, J, and several others, will no longer be available. Diplomatic or official visas such as A, G, NATO, and TECRO will still be eligible for waivers. Children under 14 and seniors over 79 will also lose the waiver. All applicants must now appear before a consular officer. A small number of B-1/B-2 tourist and business visa renewals can continue without interviews, but only if they meet strict conditions. Even if applicants meet these exceptions, consular officers can still require an interview. From September 2, 2025, Dropbox renewals will no longer be available for most non-immigrant visa types. Image: News18 How will it impact Indians? India is one of the largest users of the Dropbox system. US consulates in India already have some of the world's longest visa wait times. Ending Dropbox is expected to: Increase demand for interview appointments Delay academic plans for students Affect project timelines for companies that employ H-1B staff Extend waiting periods by months The effects are already being seen, as some Dropbox appointments in August and September 2025 have been cancelled, with applicants redirected to in-person interviews. Applicants have been told to log into their visa appointment profiles, confirm the cancellations, and reschedule interviews under the new rules. In many cases, this means starting the application again and answering updated eligibility questions, according to a report by CNBC TV18. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Some B-1/B-2 visitor visa renewals may still qualify under strict conditions, but consular officers can request in-person interviews when needed. The main reason for suspending Dropbox in India is Washington's plan to return to pre-pandemic visa screening practices. For those whose August-September Dropbox slots were cancelled, the steps are: check for the cancellation email, confirm the status on the appointment portal, restart the application if required, and rebook under the new criteria. The cancellation itself does not count towards the limited number of allowed reschedules, the report added.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
US to scrap ‘Dropbox' visa renewals from September 2: What this means for Indians, students and workers
The clock is ticking for one of the most popular US visa conveniences. The United States will officially end its Interview Waiver Programme better known as the 'Dropbox' facility for most non-immigrant visas, including work and student visa categories starting from September 2, 2025. 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.
Business Standard
30-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
US visa interview waiver 2025: Who is still eligible under new rules
Beginning September 2, the US government will roll back many of its visa interview waivers. All non-immigrant visa applicants, including children under 14 and adults over 79, will now generally be required to appear for an in-person interview with a US consular officer. This change will affect a wide range of visa categories, including business and tourist visas (B-1/B-2), student visas (F and M), work visas (such as H-1B), and exchange visitor visas (J). Only a few categories will continue to be exempt. The US Department of State has said certain diplomatic and official visa applicants will still be eligible for waivers. These include: A-1, A-2, C-3 (excluding personal staff), G-1 to G-4, and NATO categories TECRO E-1 applicants Applicants for diplomatic or official-type visas B-1/B-2 visa holders seeking renewal within 12 months of visa expiry, provided they were at least 18 years old when the previous visa was issued Eligibility rules for those seeking waivers Even for those technically eligible for an interview waiver, additional conditions must be met. These include: The visa application must be submitted in the applicant's country of nationality or residence The applicant must not have had a previous visa refusal (unless overturned or waived) There should be no signs of ineligibility on the record The US Citizenship and Immigration Services noted that discretion still lies with consular officers. 'Consular officers may still require in-person interviews on a case-by-case basis for any reason,' said USCIS. It advised applicants to check embassy or consulate websites for location-specific updates. This policy replaces the earlier Interview Waiver Update from February 18, 2025. How the interview waiver programme works The Interview Waiver Programme (IWP) allows some applicants to send in their visa documents by post rather than visiting the embassy. But the system will now direct more people to schedule interviews. Once an applicant creates an online profile and pays the visa fees, the appointment system will ask a set of eligibility questions. If the applicant qualifies for the waiver, instructions are provided for submitting documents by post. Otherwise, they must schedule an interview. What documents to send if you qualify If you're eligible for the IWP and the system instructs you to mail your documents, the following items must be included in one large envelope. For families, all documents should be submitted together: Each applicant must include: Current passport (original, no cover or case) Previous US visa and passport (if applicable and different from the current passport) Printed DS-160 confirmation page (barcode page only) One physical visa-size photo (2x2 inch or 5x5 cm, white background) Any additional documents based on visa type Additional documents required for certain applicants Work visa applicants (H, L, P, R, O): Include the I-797 or I-129S form Students or exchange visitors (F, M, J): Include the I-20 or DS-2019 form Missing documents can cause delays. If consular officers later decide an interview is necessary, an email will be sent with scheduling instructions. If the visa can be issued without an interview, the applicant will receive tracking details for the return of their passport, as per the instructions given by the US embassy.
