Finally, after all the confusion with the changes to the US Dropbox Eligblity, which was directly updated in USVisaScheduling.com system and people sent back from their appointments, the US Department of State made an official announcement earlier this week on February 18th, 2025, confirming the changes and gave more guidance.
In this article, we will summarize the official press release from the US Department of State related to the Dropbox or Interview Waiver eligibility, what all has changed, and how does it impact many.
Background: Dropbox Eligibility – 48 months from Expiry, Others
Below is the previous update from the US Department of State in the form of a press release outlining the requirements for dropbox or interview waiver, where they had the below criteria:
- If you have a previously issued US visa other than B Visa, you will be eligible for dropbox, if you are applying within 48 months from the expiry of your previous visa.
- These requirements were in place indefinitely without any end date.
- You may read the full history at US Visa Dropbox News History with Changes
Since the Trump administration took office in January 2025, they asked the US Department of State to review the rules and make suggestions for changes. The changes to the dropbox requirements are essentially one of those action items from the review by Trump Administration team.
The changes to the dropbox eligibility were updated directly in the USVisaScheduling.com website without any prior notice around February 10th and many users were scrambling with confusion at the appointment locations trying to understand what was going on. Many were sent back and asked to re-boo their appointments. The official press release only came in on February 18th, 2025 after almost a week of chaos.
Below is the screenshot of the actual press release by US Department of State from December 2023.
Summary of New Eligibility Criteria for US Visa Dropbox Stamping
As per the press release by the US Department of State, they have updated the visa categories that are eligible for dropbox and reduced the time duration of expired visa for dropbox. Below are the changes summarized in sub-sections
US Visa Categories List, who are Eligible for Dropbox Stamping
As per the discretion of the Consular Officer under the Immigration and Nationality Act section 222(h), below categories are eligible for dropbox/ interview waiver stamping:
| Visa Type Eligible for Dropbox | Purpose of the Visa, Who Gets it. |
| A-1 Visa | It is to visit the US as a Diplomat or foreign government |
| A-2 Visa | It is for foreign military personnel who would be stationed in US |
| C-3 Visa (except attendants, servants, or personal employees of accredited officials) | It is a transit Visa for US for foreign govt. Officials, members of their families, attendants, their servants |
| G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4 Visas | Visa for International organizations employees to visit, meetings, work in US |
| NATO-1 through NATO-6 | Visa for officials and employees of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), who will work for NATO in USA |
| TECRO E-1 | It is for Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office(TECRO) for Trade under E-1 Visa Classification |
| Diplomatic, Official Visa Types | Applicants, who are Diplomats and other Govt. Officials. |
Renewals in the Same Visa Category, Expired 12 months ago
As per the new rules, you can renew your US Visa, which is in the same category and the previous US visa should have expired within the last 12 months. They have removed the “48 months from expiry” provision and option for different visa types renewals.
E.g., Let’s say you have an F1 visa issued in the past and it expired within 12 months. Under the new rules, you can only renew F1 Visa using Dropbox. You will not be eligible for H1B dropbox anymore as those provisions are not valid anymore.
General Criteria for Dropbox Stamping Eligibility
As per the press release, you must meet some general criteria in adding to be eligible for dropbox. Below is the list:
- You must apply for US Visa renewals in your country of residence or country of your citizenship. You cannot apply as a Third-country national in a different country.
- Example: If you are an Indian citizen and live in Singapore, you can either apply in Singapore or India. You cannot apply for renewals in any other country.
- You should have never been refused a US Visa, unless the previous refusal was overcome by you with approval or it was waived.
- Example: If let’s say you had a first refusal of H1B Visa, and then you had an approved B1/B2 visa. Now, when you apply for B1/B2 renewal, you will be eligible for dropbox despite your first H1B refusal because you overcame that with an approval.
- You do not have any apparent or potential ineligibility. Basically, it means you do not have anything specific on your file that restricts you from the Dropbox eligibility. They will ask for such things in the questionnaire like lost, stolen, written CWOP, etc.
It is always up to the US Consular officers’s discretion and they can call you for an interview anytime, even if you submit dropbox.
Below is the screenshot of the official press release from the US Department of State with key points highlighted.
Screenshots of the Changes in the USVisaScheduling Website
The changes announced officially by the US Department of State are already in place from Februray 10th, 2025 and they look like in the below screenshots. You may read article US Dropbox Stamping Changes with Screenshots for full details.
Impact of the changes to Dropbox Eligibility
The changes to the dropbox or interview waiver eligibility is going to have a tremendous impact on the US Visa Appointment wait times. In countries like India, the appointment wait times are already crazy for B1/B2 touching 400+ days.
If you are planning to travel out of the US, you will need a valid visa to re-enter. So, you must plan beforehand for an appointment with these long wait times. Also, you can expect more scrutiny due to the change in the administration and more tighter border controls in place.
If you do not have any emergency, it is suggested not to travel to avoid issues. If you are a tourist planning for visiting US, you may have to wait for over a year just to get an appointment….It is crazy, but that is what it is….
Below are the current US Visa Appointment Wait times in India as per the US Dept of State Website
| City/Post | Interview Required Student (F, J Visas) | Interview Required Temporary Work (H, L, O, P, Q Visas) | Interview Required Crew and Transit (C, D, C1/D) | Interview Required Visitors (B1/B2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai | 85 Days | 28 Days | 9 Days | 436 Days |
| Mumbai | 302 Days | N/A | 10 Days | 444 Days |
| Kolkata | 375 Days | N/A | N/A | 415 Days |
| Hyderabad | 85 Days | 15 Days | 1 Day | 429 Days |
| New Delhi | 85 Days | N/A | 37 Days | 442 Days |
What do you think of the official announcement? Share your thoughts in comments section below.
Hi Team,
A couple of questions here;
1. I got my B1 interview slot scheduled from my current employer in Sep 2025. Meanwhile, my H1B petition has been approved from future employer. Can I still book and go for H1B visa interview before B1 slot (Sep 2025)?
2. If I book a H1B slot before B1 interview, will the B1 slot still be available in the system?
Thanks.
Hi,
My mother’s B2 is expired 7th June 2025. She satisfy all conditions of waiver. But my question Is it possible to get a drop box appointment before June 1st.
Waittime for Dropbox appointment for b2 and H1b are same or different ? Because I heard from my friend who booked h1b dropbox appointment t that it is easy to get the appointment
It’s 7th June 2024
My b1/b2 visa expired last year April 1st 2024. We have scheduled Dropbox for march 28 2025. Does it impact 7 calendar day rule. When I checked with customer care line, they mentioned this date is valid. Can you confirm if this date will be valid?
Kumar can you message me plzz
Last year after my H1B approval, I changed my status from H4 to H1B. I am planning to travel to India and looking for slots and I am not eligible for Drop box.
Scheduling website is taking me to OFC appointment ( VAC). Is the available slots are for Biometrics and if so when can I see the actual interview slot , is it after I submit the biometrics appointment ? There is no message on the website or during the slot selection.
Hi Kumar,
I have question related to H4 dropbox eligibility for my son, Currently I am in USA (H1B with Visa expiriring in 2027).
I am planning for dropbox for my wife and son (both for H4) and there past H4 visas are within 12 month expiry (Expired on 7th July 2024), I want to know eligility for dropbox for my son (H4),
Is it required to have valid visa of both parents ,for to be eilgible for dropbox for my minor son(H4)?
Thank you
Harsh,
Yes, for B1/B2 for minors, you need to submit valid visa of both parents. But, for other visas is not necessary, only one is sufficient (as per the official guidance on USTravelDocs). As you are in the US, if you submit your documentation like I-94, and other details, it should be fine. When you answer the questionnaire, it will ask for these, so you cannot miss. If you want to be sure, create two separate logins and then try. Reach out to customer service, if you need confirmation.
How do I know in the new system if my interview has been waived? I am not eligible for interview waiver and it takes me to schedule OFC appointment. Is OFC same as biometrics (VAC)? Will I be able to schedule interview appointment after scheduling OFC appointment?
Eskay,
At the end you will get confirmation saying the same. If you get the message saying eligible for dropbox, then OFC means dropbox submission center, also known as VAC. Here you would submit documents. If you do not get dropbox eligible confirmation then OFC means place where you give biometrics, it is also called as VAC.
I recently scheduled a visa appointment for my F1 visa and i have valid H4. With the new changes in the visa Dropbox rule, I’m looking for the best way to reschedule my appointment for F1.
Whether I need to cancel and rebook or if there’s an option to update directly
Do i need to repay the visa fee?
Thanks in advance!
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