The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has revised its requirements for waiving interviews for certain nonimmigrant visa applicants who are applying for visa stamps. Visa applications that are accepted without an interview are commonly referred to as being submitted through the “Dropbox” process. It is not clear what the impetus for these changes is, but it is likely that they are related to the January 20, 2025 Executive Order entitled “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.” This order requires federal agencies, including the DOS, to recommend and implement within 30 days enhanced vetting and screening for all foreign nationals intending to enter, or already present in, the United States.

United States consulates have for a number of years allowed certain eligible visa renewal applicants to have their in-person visa interview waived. Since January 2024, the broad requirements were that applicants must (1) be applying for a visa in their country of nationality or residence; (2) not have been previously refused a visa; (3) have been issued a visa stamp in any classification other than B; (4) be applying within 48 months of their most recent nonimmigrant visa’s expiration date; and 5) have no apparent or potential ineligibility.

The DOS announced on February 18, 2025 that these requirements have changed. Eligibility for a waiver of the interview is now limited to individuals who have been issued a visa stamp with the same classification, and that visa stamp expired less than 12 months prior to the new application, and individuals applying for certain A, C, G, NATO, and diplomatic visas. See Interview Waiver Update for a complete list of the new interview waiver requirements. As of this date, the update seems to be implemented sporadically and only in some countries, including India and France. Since it is DOS’ practice to roll out updates of this type gradually across consulates worldwide, it is likely that countries that are not yet impacted by the change will be impacted in the next few weeks or months. Please see below the links to various consulates’ USTravelDocs pages describing their interview waiver process:

• • India: https://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/en/renew-visa#waive-my-interview
  • Israel: https://www.ustraveldocs.com/il/en/renew-visa#waive-my-interview
  • Taiwan: https://www.ustraveldocs.com/tw/en/renew-visa#waive-my-interview
  • South Korea: https://www.ustraveldocs.com/kr/en/renew-visa#waive-my-interview
  • Japan: https://www.ustraveldocs.com/jp/en/renew-visa#waive-my-interview
  • China: https://www.ustraveldocs.com/cn/en/renew-visa#waive-my-interview
  • Germany: https://www.ustraveldocs.com/de/en/renew-visa#waive-my-interview
  • France: https://fr.usembassy.gov/visas/visa-interview-waiver/

If a visa applicant has already received an Interview Waiver for an upcoming U.S. visa renewal, we strongly encourage that person to consult his or her CEAC/USTravelDocs account or contact the consulate where their interview is currently scheduled for guidance. According to the instructions provided by some U.S. Consulates, applicants should click “Close/Start Application” in their profile to complete the Interview Waiver (IW) questionnaire again and verify continued eligibility for a waiver of the interview. If the consulate has changed its requirement to a 12-month expiration window and/or prior issuance of a visa stamp in the same classification and the applicant is now required to attend an interview, the applicant will be prompted to (1) cancel the Dropbox appointment, then (2) schedule a new biometric and consular appointment for in-person interview.  Unfortunately, this in-person appointment may delay visa issuance by several weeks, as appointments might not be readily available. For some, this might unfortunately mean rescheduling or cancelling international travel due to the appointment date.

The T&S team will remain apprised of all further updates impacting U.S. visa application processes and will promptly issue new Alerts as developments occur. Foreign national employees should bear in mind that, as they prepare for international travel and are scheduled to apply for a U.S. visa while abroad, it is critical that they discuss with their managers and human resources professionals options for remote work from overseas if they are not able to return to the United States as scheduled.