The US Department of State has confirmed changes to its policies on waiver of nonimmigrant visa interviews, including eligibility criteria. These changes are effective immediately and apply across US embassies and consulates worldwide.
US Department of State confirms changes to visa waiver (“dropbox”) policy, including reduction of eligibility window to 12 months, effective immediately and apply worldwide.
The US Department of State has confirmed changes to who is eligible for a waiver of a nonimmigrant visa interview (also referred to as the “dropbox”). Critically, these changes now apply worldwide across US embassies and consulates and are effective immediately.
Interview waiver is now available only to individuals whose prior visa stamps in the same category are either still valid or have expired within 12 months. Individuals must also apply for interview waiver in their country of nationality or residence and have no prior visa refusals. Consular officers may still require in-person interviews on a case-by-case basis or because of local conditions. For more information, please refer to the Department of State website.
The new presidential administration has quickly implemented changes at consular posts, including these limitations on the use of the interview waiver (“dropbox”) process. Limiting the use of interview waiver will require more visa applicants to apply for in-person interview appointments and thus increase appointment backlogs worldwide.
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Manish Daftari
Partner
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