The United States has officially discontinued the ‘drop-box’ facility, also known as the Interview Waiver Program (IWP), for non-immigrant visa applicants from 57 countries. This move will bring stricter scrutiny, longer waiting times, and higher costs for students, professionals, and travelers.
What Was the ‘Drop-Box’ System?
- The scheme allowed eligible applicants to renew visas without appearing for an in-person interview by submitting documents at a Visa Application Centre (VAC).
- It was widely used by visitors, students, and skilled workers applying for visa renewals.
What Changed on September 2?
- The U.S. State Department has ended interview waivers for applicants from countries including Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Egypt, Haiti, Iran, Myanmar, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe.
- All applicants—whether students, tourists, or professionals—must now appear in person at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
Who Loses Waiver Privileges?
Earlier, exemptions were available for:
- Children under 14 and adults over 79.
- Categories such as H-1B (skilled workers), L-1 (company transfers), F-1 (students), O-1 (extraordinary talent), and B-1/B-2 visitor visas.
- From now on, most of these applicants will need to attend interviews, regardless of whether it’s a first-time application or a renewal.
Limited Exceptions
- Certain diplomatic and official visas.
- Some categories are linked to international organizations.
- A very small number of B-1/B-2 renewals for full-validity visas.
- Still, consular officers may demand interviews at their discretion.
Expected Consequences
- Longer wait times: Consulates must now schedule significantly more in-person interviews, straining appointment slots.
- One free reschedule rule: Since January 1, applicants are allowed only one complimentary reschedule of an appointment. Any further changes may require paying the visa fee again.
Fee Hikes Coming Soon
- I-94 Record Fee: Will rise from $6 to $30 for land entries and travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries.
- ESTA Fee: Nearly doubling from $21 to $40, applicable to VWP travelers until at least 2034.
- Visa Integrity Fee: A new $250 charge expected this fall for many non-immigrant visas, intended to fund enhanced screening.
Other Tightening Measures
- Visa Bonds: Certain B-1/B-2 applicants from countries like Malawi and Zambia must deposit $5,000–$15,000, refundable only if visa conditions are respected.
- Expanded Vetting: Stronger document checks and mandatory social media reviews are slowing down approvals.
- Fixed Stays Proposal: Plans to replace open-ended stays for F-1 (students), J-1 (exchange visitors), and visas (journalists) with fixed admission periods, requiring extension applications.
- H-1B Reforms: A potential 2026 rule may allocate visas by salary level instead of random lottery—expected to particularly affect Indian professionals.
- Passport Pickup Rules: Since August, the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi requires applicants to collect passports in person. Parents collecting for minors must provide signed consent letters; scanned or emailed authorizations are not accepted.
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