വാഷിംഗ്ടൺ: ഇന്ത്യയിൽ നിന്നുള്ളവർക്ക് കുടിയേറ്റത്തിനല്ലാത്ത വീസ പുതുക്കുന്നതിന് നേരിട്ടുള്ള അഭിമുഖം ഒഴിവാക്കുന്ന ഡ്രോപ്ബോക്സ് സംവിധാനത്തിൽ യുഎസ് മാറ്റം വരുത്തി. ഇതനുസരിച്ച് വീസ കാലാവധി കഴിഞ്ഞ് പന്ത്രണ്ട് മാസത്തിനുള്ളിൽ മാത്രമേ ഡ്രോപ്ബോക്സ് പ്രോഗ്രാമിൽ അപേക്ഷിക്കാനാവൂ. നേരത്തേ ഇത് 48 മാസമായിരുന്നു.

വീസ പുതുക്കലിന് ഏറെ സൗകര്യമായിരുന്നു ഡ്രോപ്ബോക്സ് പ്രോഗ്രാം. നിർദിഷ്ട യോഗ്യതയുള്ളവർ വീസ പുതുക്കുന്നതിനുള്ള അവശ്യരേഖകളെല്ലാം എംബസികളിലെയോ കോൺസുലേറ്റുകളിലെയോ ഡ്രോപ്ബോക്സുകളിൽ നിക്ഷേപിച്ചാൽ മതിയായിരുന്നു. നേരിട്ടുള്ള അഭിമുഖത്തിനു ഹാജരാകേണ്ടതില്ലായിരുന്നു. എഫ്–1 വിദ്യാർഥി വീസയിൽ യുഎസിലെത്തി എച്ച്–1 ബി വിഭാഗത്തിലേക്കു മാറ്റം ലഭിക്കുമ്പോഴും മറ്റും ഇത് ഏറെ ഉപകാരമായിരുന്നു.

ഇനിയിപ്പോൾ വീസ കാലാവധി തീർന്നവർക്ക് 12 മാസത്തിനുള്ളിൽ അതേ തരത്തിലുള്ള വീസ പുതുക്കലിനു മാത്രമേ ഡ്രോപ്ബോക്സ് സംവിധാനം ഉപയോഗിക്കാനാവൂ. ഡ്രോപ്ബോക്സ് പ്രയോജനപ്പെടുത്തിയിരുന്ന എച്ച്–1ബി, എൽ–1, ഒ–1 വീസക്കാർക്ക് പുതിയ നിബന്ധന ബുദ്ധിമുട്ടാകും. അഭിമുഖത്തിനുള്ള കാത്തിരിപ്പ് കാലാവധി കൂടുകയും ചെയ്യും.
Sources:nerkazhcha

In the last few days, there has been so much confusion regarding the US Visa Dropbox/ Interview waiver eligibility rules change across many US consulates and US embassies in a few countries like India, Australia, etc. Many applicants faced issues at the US Consulate/Dropbox locations during their visa appointments.

There was no official announcement made by the US Department of State or US Consulates/ Embassies regarding the change in the Dropbox or interview waiver eligibility criteria. They made an abrupt decision and changed it overnight. Many applicants were scrambled and ended up in a difficult situation with their travels due to this appointment eligblity criteria changes.

In this article, we will review the changes and share the official confirmation from the USVisaScheduling Website’s actual questionnaire on the changes and who all it impacts like H1B, F1, Change of Status applicants, and others, even though there is no proper official announcement and also guidance given by them in an email reply from them.

Background: US Visa Interview Waiver/ Dropbox Rules in Years 2020 to 2025
In the year 2020, for the Dropbox/ interview waiver cases, the US Dept. of State, to help the situation and avoid public risk, increased the “12 months from expiry” requirement to “24 months from the expiry of the previous visa” for US visa renewals until March 31, 2021.

In March 2021, they released a press note indicating the expansion of dropbox visa stamping eligibility from “24 months from visa expiry” to “48 months from expiry” until Dec 31, 2021.
They subsequently extended the “48-months from expiry” for 2022 and 2023. They also added new provisions and extended it for 2024 and beyond. You can read full details at US Visa Interview Waiver Options Extended for 2024 & Beyond.
You may read the full history at US Visa Dropbox News History with Changes
Trump Administration Changes to Immigration, Extreme Vetting
After the Trump Administration took office in late January 2025, many executive orders signed by President Trump related to immigration and national interest. As part of that, the US Department of State was also asked to review its processes and implement extreme vetting.

The US Department of State abruptly changed the US Visa Waiver/ Dropbox eligibility criteria rules in India, Australia, and other countries without proper announcement to the public. Many applicants were stuck at the consulate as they did not know about the change and had to go back as well.

Let’s look at the changes and how they appear in the online system of USVisaScheduling.com

US Visa Dropbox Eligibility Changes in India: Reduced to 12 months
As of now, we do not have an official press release from any of the US Consular posts like the US Embassy India, US Embassy Australia, USTravelDocs India, or any other US Consulate. Also, no alerts on the US Visa Scheduling website.

Below are the list of changes based on how various screens appear in the USVisaScheduling.com website’s online questionnaire for Dropbox. We have included screenshots for more clarity.

For Dropbox, the previous US Visa has to be in the same category
In the past, if you were applying for H1B, H4, L1, or other US visas and you already had any US Visa issued in the past (except B1/B2), you were eligible for an interview waiver.

Now, with the new change, you are eligible for Dropbox or interview waiver only if your previous visa was in the same category. For instance, to be eligible for H1B Dropbox, you must have had an H1B visa in the past.

Example: In the past, if you had an F1 visa issued, you could have applied for first time H1B stamping using dropbox. Now, with the new changes, you are not eligible for dropbox as the question clearly asks the previous visa type during the questionnaire and asks for H1B only.

Below is the screenshot of the question on USVisaScheduling.com website comparing past two questions for H1B Visa renewal with the applicant having a past F1 visa. The new visa question mentions the specific visa type saying “previous H-1B Visa”.

For renewal, the previous US Visa should have expired within12 months
In the past, if you were renewing the same visa type, especially for B1/B2 visa or other non-immigrant visas, you were eligible for dropbox if your visa expired in the past 48 months.

Now, with the new change, your previous visa should have expired within the last 12 months. Also, in addition to this, you need to be renewing the visa in the same category as described above.

Below is the screenshot of the question on USVisaScheduling.com website comparing past and new visa question that captures the 12 months.

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