The U.S. Department of State has quietly rolled back its expanded Visa Interview Waiver (“dropbox”) eligibility, reverting to pre-COVID standards. Effective immediately, only applicants renewing a visa in the same nonimmigrant category that expired within the past 12 months can use the dropbox process.
What’s Different Now?
Two major shifts make the new policy more restrictive:
- Shorter renewal window – Before, you could use the dropbox option if your visa had expired within the past four years; now, the cutoff is just 12 months.
- Same-category requirement – Previously, applicants who had held any nonimmigrant visa were eligible for dropbox processing. Now, the visa being renewed must be in the same category as the prior one. This means that someone who originally entered the U.S. on an F-1 student visa and later switched to H-1B status will now need an in-person interview to get an H-1B visa stamp.
Who Will Feel the Impact?
The rollback will likely create challenges for:
- H-1B, L-1, and O-1 visa holders who had relied on dropbox renewals to avoid in-person interviews.
- Frequent travelers who now face longer wait times for visa appointments.
- Workers with travel plans who may experience delays in returning to the U.S. due to consular processing backlogs.
What Should You Do?
If you’re planning a visa renewal, take these steps to avoid disruptions:
- Plan for delays – Interview appointment wait times can be lengthy, and demand will likely increase under the new policy.
- Double-check your eligibility – If your visa expired more than 12 months ago or you’re applying in a different category, you’ll likely need an in-person interview.
- Consider Premium Processing – If you’re renewing an H-1B, opting for faster premium processing might help minimize travel complications.