US Ends Visa ‘Drop-Box’ System for 57 Countries

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.