New Restrictions for Visa Renewal Dropbox Program Eligibility

Category: Client Alerts
Date: Feb. 18, 2025
Title: New Restrictions for Visa Renewal Dropbox Program Eligibility

_{Updated Feb. 20, 2025}

On Feb. 10, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DoS) began limiting those who can use the Dropbox Program (aka Interview Waiver) to renew their visas to individuals with either valid visas or visas that expired fewer than 12 months ago, and that were issued in the same classification. The prior policy had allowed visa applicants to use the Interview Waiver where they had prior visas issued in any classification besides B and that expired no more than 48 months ago. With this new update, the Interview Waiver is now limited to those renewing their visas in the same classification where such visas expired fewer than 12 months ago. Those wishing to renew their visas that expired 12 months ago or longer, or who are applying for a visa in a different nonimmigrant classification, will now be required to attend in-person interviews, which could add substantial time and cost to the visa renewal process.

The Dropbox/Interview Waiver Program was implemented to streamline the visa renewal process for applicants who meet the qualifications, allowing them to avoid in-person interviews at U.S. consulates abroad. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the DoS extended the period for eligibility, initially to visas that were issued in the same classification and were no more than 24 months expired, and then to visas no more than 48 months expired that were issued in any nonimmigrant classification besides B. However, in response to a recent Executive Order from President Donald Trump requiring federal agencies to increase vetting of foreign nationals intending to enter the United States, the DoS has now reverted to the pre-pandemic period of 12 months, and has also limited eligibility to those applying for a visa in the same classification as their current or qualifying expired visa.

This change was made without any advance notice, creating significant logistical issues for those who were planning to use the Dropbox Program, as well as their employers. Consular appointments will be even harder to come by, particularly in countries like India, where there is already extremely high demand. One potential avenue of relief would be domestic visa revalidation, which the DoS piloted in 2024 (domestic visa renewal pilot program). Unfortunately, this program has since ended, and the DoS has not given any indication as to whether the program will become permanent.

As a result of these new limitations, we strongly encourage clients to coordinate with their foreign national employees (especially Indian nationals) to renew their visas before the end of the 12-month period described above. By doing so, they will avoid the challenges and costs associated with finding and attending a visa appointment at a U.S. consulate abroad. However, for those applying for a visa in a different nonimmigrant classification, these challenges and costs will now be unavoidable, and clients and employees should plan accordingly.

If you have any questions or need additional information about this alert, please feel free to contact us.