Important Update: Changes to U.S. Visa Dropbox Eligibility in India

The U.S. Department of State has recently updated the eligibility requirements for interview waiver appointments (commonly known as “dropbox” appointments) in India. These changes, which were implemented without a formal announcement, are now reflected on the U.S. TravelDocs website for India.

Key Changes to Dropbox Eligibility:

• Previously, applicants could qualify for an interview waiver if they had been issued a nonimmigrant visa in any category (except B visitor visas) and were applying within 48 months of its expiration.
• Now, applicants must have been issued a prior U.S. visa in the same classification as their current application.
• The validity window has been reduced—only those with a prior visa still valid or expired within the past 12 months may qualify.

Impact on Visa Applicants:

• Individuals applying for an H-1B visa who were previously issued a visa in a different category (such as an F-1 student visa) are no longer eligible for an interview waiver.
• Applicants whose prior visa expired more than 12 months ago must now schedule an in-person interview—potentially leading to additional wait times due to high demand.

If you are planning to apply for a U.S. visa under the dropbox process, we strongly recommend reviewing your eligibility and scheduling your visa appointment accordingly.

For assistance with your visa application, please feel free to reach out to our team at Nachman Phulwani Zimovcak (NPZ) Law Group at 551-291-1154 (Ext. 104) and email: info@visaserve.com

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Stay informed and plan ahead to avoid delays!