State Department Eliminating Most Dropbox Appointments

Effective September 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) will significantly restrict eligibility for nonimmigrant visa interview waivers, commonly referred to as “dropbox” appointments. Under the new policy, nearly all nonimmigrant visa applicants, including those applying to renew work visas (e.g., H1B), will be required to attend an in-person interview at a consular post.

Major Change to Age-Based Exemptions

One significant change eliminates the longstanding age-based interview waivers that previously applied to applicants under 14 and over 79 years old. Starting September 2, 2025, these age groups will generally be required to appear for in-person interviews, representing a substantial shift from current practice where younger children and elderly applicants could often avoid the interview requirement.

Limited Categories Still Eligible for Waivers

The updated policy maintains interview waivers for only three narrow categories of applicants. First, certain diplomatic and official visa holders, including those with A-1, A-2, G-1 through G-4, NATO-1 through NATO-6, and TECRO E-1 classifications, will continue to be eligible for interview waivers. Second, applicants for other diplomatic or official-type visas may also qualify for waivers.

The third and most restrictive category applies to individuals renewing full validity B-1, B-2, or B-1/B-2 visas, as well as Mexican nationals renewing border crossing cards, within 12 months of their prior visa’s expiration. However, these applicants must meet additional requirements to qualify for the waiver.

Strict Requirements for B Visa Renewals

Applicants seeking to renew B visas without an interview face several mandatory criteria. They must have been at least 18 years old when their previous visa was issued, apply in their country of nationality or residence, have never been refused a visa unless such refusal was overcome or waived, and have no apparent or potential ineligibility. These requirements significantly narrow the pool of eligible renewal applicants compared to previous policies.

Consular Discretion Remains

Even applicants who meet the limited waiver criteria are not guaranteed to avoid interviews. Consular officers retain the authority to require in-person interviews on a case-by-case basis for any reason, providing additional flexibility to address security or other concerns that may arise during application review.

Impact on Visa Processing

This policy change will likely result in substantially increased interview volumes at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. Applicants should expect longer wait times for visa appointments and should plan accordingly when scheduling travel that requires visa renewal or new applications.

The DOS advises applicants to check individual embassy and consulate websites for detailed information about local procedures and current operating status, as implementation may vary by location.

Conclusion

In eliminating nearly all dropbox appointments, the backlogs for visa “stamping” appointments will no doubt increase. MurthyDotCom will continue to track this story and post information if any new developments unfold.

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