US Visa Renewal: Previously, if a person’s previous visa expired within the last 48 months, he could renew his visa using the dropbox system. The new change means that many applicants will now have to appear for personal interviews, which may put more pressure on the visa system.
Add informalnewz.com as a Preferred Source
Washington: The US has reduced the eligibility period for visa interview waiver from 48 months to 12 months. Visa interview waiver is commonly known as the dropbox process. This change is likely to affect thousands of non-immigrant visa holders, including H-1B, F-1 and B1/B2 visa holders. While the US Embassy in India has not confirmed the change, online visa processing platform Atlease said it updated its eligibility criteria last week.
“While no official announcement has been made, the change is now being implemented and applications that have expired for more than 12 months will no longer be accepted,” an Eatalys spokesperson said, Business Standard reported.
Now many applicants will have to appear for personal interviews
Previously, if a person’s previous visa expired within the last 48 months, he could renew his visa using the dropbox system. This expanded policy was introduced during the pandemic to reduce the consular backlog. The new change means that many applicants will now have to appear for personal interviews, which may put more pressure on the visa system.
According to the National Law Review, the change is likely to cause travel delays and disruptions for non-immigrant visa holders, including H-1B, F-1, B1/B2, L-1 and O-1 visas.
Demand for in-person appointments may increase at US consulates
Applicants will now be eligible for the dropbox process only if their visa expired within the last 12 months and they are in the same category. Those who do not meet this requirement will have to schedule in-person interviews, which could result in increased demand for in-person appointments at US consulates. There could be longer wait times for visa interviews, especially in high-volume cities. This could lead to potential disruptions for business travelers and professionals needing quick renewals. The change is also likely to impact Indian students in the US.
What will be the impact on students?
Siddharth Iyer, chief operating officer, OneStep Global, told Business Standard, “The recent policy change in the US visa renewal process for students (F-1) represents a significant adjustment, especially for applicants in India. The reduced eligibility period for interview waivers may result in some students facing longer wait times and additional steps to renew their visas. While this adjustment represents a return to pre-pandemic rules, it comes at a time when demand for international education is high.”
“While this change is intended to simplify the process, it may pose challenges for students who fall outside the updated eligibility period. However, it is important to note that many students will still have ample opportunities to renew their visas through the regular process,” he added. “Those affected by this change should stay informed, plan their renewals in advance, and continue to reach out to their university’s international offices or visa advisors for guidance,” he added.
Visa Appointment Delays in India
Getting a visa appointment in India is already a lengthy process. The wait time for a B1/B2 (business and tourism) visa interview in 2022 reached over 999 days. While it has improved since then, the wait time is still long-
Delhi and Mumbai: More than 440 days
Chennai: 436 days
Hyderabad: 429 days
Kolkata: 415 days
Why the change in policy?
According to Business Standard, the US Embassy in Delhi said, “The US State Department is conducting a full review of all visa programs directed under Executive Order 14161. This is all the information we have at this time.”
Executive Order 14161, signed by US President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025, is titled ‘Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.’ The order directs federal agencies to strengthen immigration screening and investigation processes. It reinstates some of the policies of the previous Trump administration and requires a review of visa and immigration policies for security risks. This includes-
- Identifying high-risk countries for potential entry bans
- Strengthening refugee screening processes
- Evaluating visa programs for security vulnerabilities
- Increasing oversight over foreign nationals already in the US
- Implementing measures to encourage the inclusion of immigrants in American society
