Effective February 18, 2025, the US Department of State has revised the eligibility criteria for the nonimmigrant visa interview waiver program, commonly known as the “Dropbox” process. The changes mark a shift back to pre-pandemic policies, reducing flexibility and significantly narrowing the scope of applicants who qualify for interview waivers, thereby inevitably increasing the number of individuals required to schedule consular appointments.
Changes to interview waiver criteria
One of the main changes is that applicants must now renew their visa within the same nonimmigrant category as their previous visa. For example, an individual applying for an H-1B visa renewal must have previously held an H-1B visa. Changing to a different visa category will require an in-person interview
The timeframe for visa renewal eligibility has also been significantly reduced. Previously, applicants could qualify for an interview waiver if their prior visa had expired within the past 48 months. Under the new rules, this period has been shortened to just 12 months.
Another key change is that applicants must submit their visa renewal application in their country of nationality or residence. This means individuals cannot apply for a visa renewal while traveling outside their home country.
Applicants who have had a visa refusal after their most recent visa issuance are no longer eligible for an interview waiver. Any previous refusal, regardless of the reason, will now require an in-person interview for future visa applications
Finally, there must be no indications of potential visa ineligibility on the applicant’s record. If an applicant has any history that suggests possible disqualification, they will be required to attend an in-person interview to provide further documentation or clarification.
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Same Visa Classification | Applicants must be renewing a visa in the same nonimmigrant category as their previous visa. For example, an individual renewing an H-1B visa must have previously held an H-1B visa. |
| Recent Visa Expiry | The prior visa must be either still valid or have expired within the past 12 months. This is a reduction from the previous 48-month allowance. |
| Application Location | Applicants must apply for the visa renewal in their country of nationality or residence. |
| No Prior Visa Refusals | The applicant should not have any visa refusals after the most recent visa issuance. |
| No Apparent Ineligibility | There should be no indications of potential visa ineligibility on the applicant’s record. |
Practical implications
With the narrowed eligibility for interview waivers, more applicants will be required to attend in-person interviews at US embassies and consulates. This is likely to lead to longer wait times for visa appointments, especially in high-demand countries.
Applicants planning international travel may face disruptions due to the necessity of securing in-person interview appointments. It’s advisable to verify appointment availability before finalizing travel plans to avoid unexpected delays.
Employers should anticipate possible delays in the visa renewal process for their employees, which could affect project timelines and staffing. Proactive planning and early initiation of the visa renewal process are recommended to mitigate potential disruptions.
Need assistance?
As a result of these changes, it will become harder for applicants to renew visas without attending in-person interviews and visa applicants can expect longer wait times, potential travel disruptions and stricter processing requirements. Employers relying on foreign talent should also prepare for possible delays in workforce mobility. For expert insight into the implications of these stricter rules on your application, or on US applications for members of your workforce, contact our US immigration attorneys.
Author
Founder & Principal Attorney Nita Nicole Upadhye is a recognized leader in the field of US business immigration law, (The Legal 500, Chambers & Partners, Who's Who Legal and AILA) and an experienced and trusted advisor to large multinational corporates through to SMEs. She provides strategic immigration advice and specialist application support to corporations and professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, artists, actors and athletes from across the globe to meet their US-bound talent mobility needs.
Nita is an active public speaker, thought leader, immigration commentator, and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals.
