US to end Dropbox visa renewals
Starting September 2, 2025, the United States will officially withdraw its Interview Waiver Programme, also known as the “Dropbox facility,” for most non-immigrant visa categories.
This means the convenience of skipping in-person interviews for visa renewals will largely end.
Most applicants applying for visas—including work visas like H-1B, L-1; student visas like F-1, M; and other categories such as O-1 and J-1—will now be required to attend an in-person consular interview.
Key changes include:
The elimination of nearly all interview waivers, even for children under 14 and seniors over 79, who were previously exempt.
Only a few visa categories will remain eligible for waivers, mainly diplomatic and official visas (A, G, NATO, TECRO), and some B-1/B-2 tourist and business visa renewals under strict conditions.
Consular officers retain the discretion to require interviews even if an applicant meets waiver criteria.
The prior rule allowing interview waivers for visa renewals within 48 months has been tightened to only within 12 months, and now it is restricted even further.
This change is part of a broader effort to enhance security and tighten screening procedures. It is expected to increase demand for interview slots, extend wait times, and possibly disrupt academic schedules and work projects, especially in countries with high volumes of US visa applicants like India.
Applicants will face additional burdens such as travel and lodging for interviews, and longer visa processing times due to the increased interview requirements.
The Department of State introduced this policy to implement more rigorous screening as part of national security measures.
In summary, the U.S. dropping the Interview Waiver Programme represents a significant tightening of visa screening starting September 2, 2025, impacting most nonimmigrant visa applicants by requiring in-person interviews to enhance security.
