U.S. Consulates in India Cancel August–September Dropbox Visa Appointments

U.S. consular posts across India have cancelled Interview Waiver (“Dropbox”) visa renewal slots scheduled in August and September following a July 25, 2025 notice from the U.S. Department of State. The policy ends Dropbox eligibility for most nonimmigrant categories on September 2, 2025, pushing many applicants into in-person interviews.

The cancellations affect H, L, F, M, J, E, and O visas. Consulates instruct applicants to log in, confirm cancellations, and rebook under the new rules. Many applicants will need to restart applications and answer updated eligibility questions.

What’s changing and who’s affected now

• Affected categories: H (including H-1B/H-4), L (L-1/L-2), F and M students, J exchange visitors, E treaty traders/investors, and O workers. These categories no longer qualify for Dropbox renewals after September 2, 2025.
• Age-based waivers: Children under 14 and adults over 79 generally now need interviews.
• Remaining Dropbox options: Diplomatic and official visa classes (A, G, NATO, TECRO E-1) retain waiver access. Some B-1/B-2 visitor visa renewals and Mexican Border Crossing Cards may still use Dropbox if strict rules are met and a consular officer agrees.

Important: Even if an application appears eligible for Dropbox (especially B-1/B-2), a consular officer can still require an in-person interview. These are case-by-case decisions.

If your August–September Dropbox slot was cancelled — immediate steps

1. Check your email for a cancellation note.
2. Log into your visa appointment profile to confirm the change and start rescheduling.
3. Restart the application process — the system now screens for updated eligibility questions.
4. Note: the cancellation does not count as one of your allowed reschedules.
5. Review your visa fee (MRV) payment date — if it’s 365 days old or more, you may need to repay unless the consulate extends validity.
6. If you can’t reschedule or see errors, contact your post’s support desk and keep checking for new appointment releases.

B-1/B-2 renewals that may still use Dropbox — eligibility checklist

• Applied within 12 months of your last B-1/B-2 visa expiration.
• You were at least 18 when that visa was issued.
• Applying in your country of nationality or residence.
• No prior visa refusals, unless later overcome or waived.
• No apparent ineligibility or need for additional checks.

Even with these conditions met, a consular officer may still call you in for an interview.

Why this matters — impacts for workers, students, and families

• Longer waits: With many categories losing Dropbox access, interview queues will grow. Expect longer wait times into fall and the holiday season.
• Travel risk: If your visa stamp is expired and you depart India for stamping, you may face delays abroad waiting for interviews or administrative processing. Consider pausing non‑essential travel.
• Employers: Indian professionals on H-1B and L-1 visas risk slow returns if caught in interview backlogs. HR should build buffers into project and onboarding schedules.
• Students and scholars: F, M, J applicants must plan around interview availability. Universities should prepare for late arrivals and advise early appointment booking.

Real-life scenarios

• H-1B software engineer (Bengaluru): Your September Dropbox slot disappears. You log in, see the cancellation, and rebook an in-person interview in October. You delay a planned U.S. trip because your stamping timeline is now uncertain.
• F-1 student (Pune): Visa expires before the fall semester. Dropbox hoped-for renewal is gone; you need an interview. You contact your university’s international office for a letter explaining reporting dates and study plans.
• J-1 research scholar (Hyderabad): Short travel planned before your project end date is now risky. You avoid travel to prevent delays that could cut into your research timeline.

Steps to reduce delay and stress

• Move fast: Log in and reschedule as soon as you receive the cancellation email.
• Pick flexible travel: Buy refundable tickets and avoid tight return dates.
• Keep documents ready: I-797 approval notices, I-20/DS-2019, employment letters, pay slips, degree certificates, prior passports.
• Expect administrative processing: Some cases take extra time after the interview; plan for this.
• Watch your fee validity: If your MRV fee is near the 365‑day mark, be ready to repay if required.

Official information and required forms

• For general visa rules, appointment links, and interview availability, check the official U.S. Department of State resource at travel.state.gov. That site provides visa category explanations, wait times, and notices.
• Document checklist by visa type:
  • H-1B: I-797 approval notice (USCIS).
  • F-1: Valid I-20 signed for travel.
  • J-1: Current DS-2019.
• Consulate interviews focus on these documents, your history, and your travel purpose.

How to handle rescheduling problems

• Use the consulate’s support portal shown in your appointment system.
• Take screenshots of errors and include your case number in support tickets to speed help.
• Keep checking your profile for new slots; appointments may open without notice.
• For urgent travel (medical/family emergency), follow the consulate’s emergency appointment instructions in the system.

Why the policy changed

Officials say the U.S. is returning to pre-pandemic screening practices, prioritizing security checks best done in person. During COVID‑19, consulates expanded waivers to maintain services with limited staff and foot traffic. The rollback closes pandemic-era flexibilities and tightens vetting across key visa categories, as reported by VisaVerge.com.

Actions for employers, schools, and families

• Employers:
  • Map who needs stamping in the next six months.
  • Adjust travel and assignments.
  • Provide employment letters and project summaries to support interviews.
• Universities:
  • Send timely enrollment and funding letters.
  • Help students book appointments early and plan for late arrivals.
• Families:
  • Keep passports current, gather prior visas, and maintain clear travel plans.
  • If a dependent (H-4, L-2), coordinate interviews with the principal applicant where possible.

Key reminders before you reapply

• You must answer new online questions that apply the updated Dropbox rules.
• Consular officers can require interviews even if you believe you qualify for a waiver.
• A Dropbox slot cancellation does not use up your reschedule count.
• If your MRV fee is older than 365 days, prepare to repay unless an extension is granted.

Where to look for updates

• Bookmark the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India website for appointment alerts, document guidelines, and any fee-validity extensions.
• The U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov) is the authoritative source for current policy, visa types, and processing expectations.

Bottom line: Most Dropbox renewals in India are currently suspended. Expect an interview, prepare your documents carefully, and plan for slower timelines. Acting early and staying flexible will reduce surprises as this policy shift takes effect.