U.S. Consulates in India Tighten Dropbox Visa Rules

The U.S. Consulates in India have made an unexpected change to the rules for renewing visas through the "Dropbox" option. Previously, individuals could use the Dropbox service (which allows them to renew their visa without attending an in-person interview, also referred to as “Interview Waiver”) if their visa was still valid or had expired within the past 48 months. Now, this eligibility period has been shortened to just 12 months.

Additionally, the Dropbox option is only available if you are applying for the same type of visa as the one you currently hold or that expired within the past 12 months. For instance, if you were issued a B-1 visa 11 months ago but now need to apply for an H-1B visa, you would no longer qualify for the Dropbox renewal process.

Given these changes, it’s essential for visa applicants to stay informed about the latest requirements when renewing their visas. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to the VLG team for assistance.