On February 14, 2025, the U.S. Mission to India announced updated requirements for Dropbox/Nonimmigrant Interview Waiver Appointments. Just a few days later, on February 18, 2025, the Department of State (DOS) more broadly announced updated categories of applications eligible for a waiver of the nonimmigrant visa interview. Based on the changes, those applicants who have a visa that expired less than 12 months prior to their new application and who are applying for a visa in the same category will be eligible for interview waiver. See here.
The complete revised eligibility criteria are available here. Previously, a December 21, 2023, policy permitted applicants whose visas had expired up to 48 months prior to their nonimmigrant visa application to apply for nonimmigrant interview waiver appointments.
Analysis
With a much lower number of applicants meeting nonimmigrant interview waiver appointment criteria, U.S. Consulates and Embassies around the world, including in India where dropbox appointments are immensely popular, may see a substantial increase in the number of applications requiring interview. Where interviews are required, DOS resources to conduct interviews are required as is space and time to conduct the interviews. Therefore, applicants may see a large increase in the number of days it will take to secure a visa appointment.
Employers should note that foreign national employees may seek to take leave more often or for a longer period or may ask the business to assist with making expedited visa appointment requests for earlier appointments due to changes in nonimmigrant interview waiver criteria.
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