The U.S. Department of State has altered its visa renewal procedures for non-immigrant visa holders, reverting to a 12-month eligibility window for the interview waiver program, also known as the "Dropbox" process. This change marks a shift from the previously extended 48-month period implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic to alleviate consular backlogs.
Now, individuals seeking to renew their non-immigrant visas through the Dropbox option must ensure their previous visa expired within the past 12 months and that they are renewing for the same visa category. Those whose visas expired beyond this timeframe or applying for a different visa category will likely be required to schedule an in-person interview at a U.S. consulate.
This policy adjustment is anticipated to increase the demand for in-person visa appointments globally, potentially leading to longer wait times and travel disruptions for non-immigrant visa holders, including those with H-1B, F-1, and B1/B2 visas.
The reasoning behind this change includes the return to pre-pandemic policy and a review of visa programs for security vulnerabilities, partly due to Executive Order 14161. Visa holders are therefore advised to review their visa expiration dates, plan their renewals well in advance, and prepare for potential delays.
It is also advisable to seek guidance from visa consultants, or university international offices for students. The U.S. Department of State has altered its visa renewal procedures for non-immigrant visa holders, reverting to a 12-month eligibility window for the interview waiver program, also known as the "Dropbox" process.
This change marks a shift from the previously extended 48-month period implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic to alleviate consular backlogs. Now, individuals seeking to renew their non-immigrant visas through the Dropbox option must ensure their previous visa expired within the past 12 months, and that they are renewing for the same visa category.
Those whose visas expired beyond this timeframe or who are applying for a different visa category will likely be required to schedule an in-person interview at a U.S. consulate. This policy adjustment is anticipated to increase the demand for in-person visa appointments globally, potentially leading to longer wait times and travel disruptions for non-immigrant visa holders, including those with H-1B, F-1, and B1/B2 visas.
This change includes a return to pre-pandemic policy and a review of visa programs for security vulnerabilities, partly due to Executive Order 14161. Visa holders are therefore advised to review their visa expiration dates, plan their renewals well in advance, and prepare for potential delays. They should also seek guidance from visa consultants or university international offices for students.
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