Dropbox in India Sept 2025: Ended; In-Person Interviews Now Required

(INDIA) The United States 🇺🇸 has sharply narrowed access to its U.S. visa Dropbox appointments—also called interview waivers—in India, with sweeping restrictions that took effect on September 2, 2025. As of September 21, 2025, consular posts across the country have discontinued Dropbox renewals for H‑1B and nearly all other nonimmigrant categories, forcing most applicants back to full, in-person visa interviews. The U.S. Department of State announced the policy shift in July and implemented it this month, reversing the broader waivers introduced during the pandemic and earlier relaxations rolled out in 2025. For many Indian professionals, families, and students, this marks a major change in how they plan trips, manage renewals, and keep projects on track.

Key Policy Changes and Who Is Affected

• The Department of State has eliminated most nonimmigrant visa interview waivers (Dropbox appointments) worldwide, including India.
• H‑1B and other common nonimmigrant categories—L, F, M, J—are generally no longer eligible for Dropbox, except in narrow, exceptional circumstances defined by the Department.
• Age-based exemptions for applicants under 14 and over 79 have been removed; these applicants now generally must attend in-person interviews.
• Interview waivers remain only for:
  • Certain diplomatic/official categories (A, G, NATO, TECRO).
  • Renewals of full-validity B‑1/B‑2 visitor visas and Mexican Border Crossing Cards within 12 months of expiration, subject to strict criteria and consular discretion.
• The move reverses pandemic-era flexibility and the early‑2025 easing many travelers had relied on.

Important: Even where waivers technically remain available (for example, some B‑1/B‑2 renewals within 12 months), consular officers retain discretion to require an interview or place a case under administrative processing (221(g)).

Why the Change Now

According to the Department of State, this global policy alignment returns to direct officer review through interviews for most cases. Officials say interviews help:

• Confirm identity
• Screen against fraud
• Assess ties and travel purpose, especially for complex employment or study cases

There’s no commitment to add staff to offset higher interview demand. Consulates in India are, however, shifting resources where possible to manage peak periods.

Current Appointment Landscape and Wait Times

• Dropbox appointments for H‑1B renewals in India are discontinued. Applicants must now secure full in-person interview slots.
• Chennai and Hyderabad are central processing hubs for H‑1B and many employment-based applicants.
• Mumbai, New Delhi, and Kolkata continue to handle high volumes across categories.
• Expect near-term pressure on interview calendars as tens of thousands of former Dropbox users seek full interview slots.
• Slots still appear intermittently; some applicants are booking within a few weeks, but surges are possible during September–December (festival and business travel peaks).
• Track appointments on the official scheduling portal and watch third-party trackers (e.g., CheckVisaSlots) for trends—only the official site can confirm and book appointments.

Step-by-Step Procedure (Interview-First Model)

1) Complete the online DS‑160 (the nonimmigrant visa application): DS‑160 application portal.
2) Create a profile on the visa appointment website and select your post (Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi, or Kolkata).
3) Pay the visa application fee as shown in your profile; retain the receipt.
4) Book the in-person interview appointment (system typically won’t offer a Dropbox option).
5) Attend the OFC (Offsite Facilitation Center) for biometrics and a photo—bring passport and DS‑160 confirmation.
6) Attend the consular interview with all required documents (see checklists below).
7) Wait for processing; passports are returned by courier or pick-up. If placed under 221(g), follow the requested steps.

What to Bring — Evidence Checklists

For H‑1B renewals, a focused package typically includes:

• Form I‑797 approval notice and copy of the underlying petition
• Employer support letter describing role, duties, wage level, and worksite
• End-client letter (if applicable), master service agreement or purchase order, and project timelines
• Recent pay slips and tax records
• Degrees / transcripts and credential evaluations (if applicable)
• Original civil documents (marriage, birth certificates, etc.) where relevant

For F‑1 renewals, bring:

• Valid I‑20 with travel endorsement
• Enrollment verification and transcripts
• Proof of funding, assistantship letters or scholarships
• Evidence of ongoing study and intent to return to school on time

For B‑1/B‑2 renewals within 12 months (if eligible), bring:

• Clear travel purpose details, ties to India, and prior travel history

Practical Impact on Applicants, Families, Employers

• Trips that formerly required a simple Dropbox drop-off now need two in-person appointments (OFC + interview), adding days or weeks to schedules and increasing travel costs.
• Employers must adjust staffing plans, front-load travel approvals, and prepare detailed support letters. HR teams are advised to approve travel only after both OFC and interview dates are secured.
• Students and exchange visitors should schedule interviews well before program start dates and budget for potential processing delays.
• Typical impacts:
  • Added flight and hotel costs
  • Lost billable days for client-facing staff
  • Increased administrative burden for HR and legal teams

Applicants should take three immediate steps:

• Book early. Lock in the earliest interview slots available.
• Prepare a complete file. Bring petitions, employer letters, pay slips, tax documents, degrees, civil records, updated I‑20s (for students), and enrollment/funding proof.
• Add time cushions. Allow at least one week or more between interview and planned travel; more time if a 221(g) is possible.

Real-World Examples

• A Pune consultant expected a Dropbox renewal in early September 2025 but had to reschedule flights and spend a week longer in India to secure an interview in Chennai.
• A Chennai graduate student rebooked travel, secured an interview with a departmental enrollment letter, and received approval two days after the interview.
• A Bengaluru IT firm shifted to rolling travel approvals for 40 H‑1B employees, staggering trips and collecting end‑client confirmations to avoid missed milestones.

What to Expect at Each Indian Post

• Chennai: Heavy H‑1B/employment caseload; steady interview slots but variable during peaks. Bring detailed client/project records.
• Hyderabad: Major H‑1B hub; officers ask targeted questions about role, wage, and end-client details.
• Mumbai: Large mixed caseload; timelines fluctuate. Many applicants prefer Mumbai for flight connections.
• New Delhi: Significant traffic across categories; careful document review expected.
• Kolkata: Smaller volume but fewer slots; useful option for eastern India residents.

Follow the residence rules on the scheduling portal; if a city’s calendar is full, recheck often—posts sometimes release capacity or no-show slots.

Evidence, Discretion, and Administrative Processing

• Consular discretion remains central. Even technically waiver-eligible applicants can be called for interviews.
• Officers may issue 221(g) for further documents or checks; this is not a refusal but adds time.
• Common 221(g) triggers: complex work arrangements, end-client projects, unclear records, or identity/travel-history questions.
• Best practice: provide a clear, organized packet with corroborating letters from employers, clients, and schools.

Interview Day Tips

• Arrive early and keep documents organized.
• Answer briefly and honestly. Match verbal answers to written records.
• Don’t guess on dates or figures—offer to provide accurate details in writing if needed.
• Carry backups (printed copies) of all essential documents that align with your DS‑160 and petition.
• Plan post‑interview time—passport return often takes additional days.

Employer and University Guidance

Employers should:

• Map critical roles and identify employees with near-term travel needs.
• Prepare standardized support letters that state duties, wage level, and worksite.
• Collect end-client confirmations and maintain document checklists.
• Add safety windows to project timelines and avoid tight go-live timing around interview dates.

Universities and research labs should:

• Issue enrollment/funding letters early.
• Avoid scheduling critical exams or research commitments immediately after planned travel.
• Advise students to book interviews well in advance of academic start dates.

Looking Ahead — What to Watch

No indication suggests a reversal of the September 2, 2025 changes. Expect the policy to remain in place for now and plan accordingly. Monitor three areas:

• Appointment capacity: Posts may adjust staffing and schedules over time.
• Seasonal pressure: Expect high demand before festival seasons and year-end travel windows.
• Document trends: Officers may emphasize certain documents (end-client letters, updated I‑20s) if gaps recur.

Quick Reference — Key Points for September 2025

• Dropbox largely gone for H‑1B and most nonimmigrant categories in India.
• Waivers remain only for A, G, NATO, TECRO, and narrow B‑1/B‑2/Mexican Border Card renewals within 12 months (subject to strict conditions).
• Age-based waivers removed for under‑14 and 80+ applicants.
• Book early, prepare thoroughly, and allow time buffers in travel plans.

Official Sources

• Department of State visa information: U.S. Department of State visa information
• DS‑160 application: DS‑160 application portal

Note: Forums and social groups will share many September 2025 anecdotes—treat them as anecdotal. Always confirm through the official portal and appointment letters. If your situation is complex (multiple dependents, client-facing projects, tight academic timeline), consider consulting an immigration attorney before finalizing travel.

The return to interview-first processing increases planning needs but does not change the core: be truthful, consistent, and organized. Applicants who prepare early, gather complete documentation, and secure interview slots in advance can still navigate the process successfully—even without Dropbox appointments.