Indian travelers renewing U.S. visas now face a new challenge as the U.S. Department of State has abruptly shortened the eligibility window for visa interview waivers (dropbox) from 48 months to just 12 months. This sudden change complicates the renewal process for thousands of Indian applicants.
The revised policy, which takes immediate effect, affects nonimmigrant visa holders such as H-1B and B1/B2 applicants. These individuals previously benefited from more flexible rules introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to ease consular backlogs.
Now, only applicants renewing a visa in the same nonimmigrant classification that expired within the past 12 months will qualify for dropbox processing, according to The National Law Review.
Though there has been no official government announcement, Visa Application Centers (VACs) have already begun turning away applicants who no longer meet the updated criteria.
Previously, the dropbox process was available for visa renewals if the prior visa had expired within the past 48 months—a policy designed to address pandemic-related delays. With the sudden rollback, many travelers will now be required to attend in-person interviews, adding further strain to an already overburdened system.
Impact on Indian Visa Holders
This change significantly affects holders of H-1B, L-1, O-1, and other nonimmigrant visas, many of whom now face:
- Increased demand for in-person appointments at U.S. consulates.
- Longer wait times for visa interviews, especially in high-demand locations.
- Possible travel disruptions for business travelers and professionals requiring swift renewals.
Reason Behind the Policy Shift
The U.S. is experiencing record-high visa demand. Despite ongoing challenges, 1.76 million Indians traveled to the U.S. in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of State.
In 2022, B1/B2 visa appointment wait times in India had exceeded 999 days, prompting the 48-month dropbox extension to help reduce the backlog. However, these long delays persist, with current wait times for visa interviews still exceeding a year in major Indian cities:
- Delhi & Mumbai: Over 440 days
- Chennai: 436 days
- Hyderabad: 429 days
- Kolkata: 415 days
What Applicants Can Do
Given the sudden rule change, applicants should take the following steps:
- Confirm Eligibility: If your visa expired more than 12 months ago or you are applying in a different category, you will need to schedule an in-person interview.
- Plan for Delays: With long wait times and the new policy expected to create further backlogs, travelers should prepare for extended processing times.
- Consider Premium Processing: Those renewing H-1B visas may benefit from premium processing to minimize travel disruptions.
The rollback comes at a time when Indian visa applicants are already grappling with lengthy wait times. With increased demand and a limited number of interview slots, securing timely visa renewals is set to become even more challenging.