US Visa Dropbox Appointments in India Cancelled for August–September 2025 After Policy Change
New Delhi, August 10, 2025 — The United States has cancelled thousands of U.S. visa renewal appointments in India scheduled for August and September 2025 under the Interview Waiver (Dropbox) program, following a recent policy change by the U.S. Department of State.
According to an update issued on July 25, 2025, Dropbox eligibility will end on September 2, 2025 for several non-immigrant visa categories. The move affects applicants who had booked renewal slots under the previous rules.
Who is affected
The change ends Dropbox eligibility for:
- H visas (specialty occupations, temporary workers)
- L visas (intra-company transferees)
- F and M student visas
- J exchange visitor visas
- E treaty trader/investor visas
- O visas (extraordinary ability individuals)
Applicants in these categories must now attend in-person interviews for visa renewals.
Reason for cancellations
U.S. consular posts in India, including those in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, began cancelling affected Dropbox appointments in early August 2025.
No new Dropbox slots for August or September were opened after the July policy update.
Next steps for applicants
Applicants whose appointments were cancelled are advised to:
- Check their email for official cancellation notices from the relevant consulate.
- Log into their visa profile to confirm the cancellation.
- Restart the application by answering updated eligibility questions.
- Reschedule for an in-person interview.
The U.S. Embassy has confirmed that such cancellations do not count toward the maximum number of reschedule attempts.
Visa fee validity warning
If the visa application fee (MRV fee) was paid 365 days ago or more, it may have expired. In such cases, applicants must pay the fee again unless the consular post grants an extension.
If rescheduling issues occur
Applicants facing technical or scheduling problems should contact the U.S. consular support desk for assistance. Authorities recommend monitoring email and the visa profile regularly to avoid missing available appointment slots.
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Background
What is this mean: The Interview Waiver, commonly known as the Dropbox facility, allowed certain applicants to renew visas without attending an interview if they met eligibility requirements. The September 2025 policy change significantly narrows the scope of the program for India and other countries, requiring more applicants to appear in person.
FAQ for the Article
1. Why were US visa Dropbox appointments cancelled in India for August–September 2025?
The cancellations followed a July 25, 2025 U.S. Department of State policy update, which ends Dropbox eligibility for several visa categories from September 2, 2025.
2. Which visa categories are affected by the new US visa policy?
The policy ends Dropbox eligibility for H, L, F, M, J, E, and O visa categories. Applicants in these categories must now attend in-person interviews for renewals.
3. What should I do if my Dropbox appointment was cancelled?
Check your email and visa profile for cancellation notices, close your old application, answer updated eligibility questions, and reschedule for an in-person interview.
4. Will the cancellation count toward my reschedule limit?
No, the cancellation will not be counted against the maximum number of times you can reschedule your appointment.
5. What happens if my visa fee has expired?
If you paid your MRV fee 365 days ago or more, it may have expired. You’ll need to pay again unless the consular post grants an extension.
cite sources:
- U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs
- Official policy update (July 25, 2025)
- https://travel.state.gov
- U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India – Visa Services Updates
- Interview Waiver (Dropbox) eligibility changes and appointment instructions
- https://in.usembassy.gov/visas/
- Visa Code (as per your original note)
- Initial report on cancellations & applicant notices
- https://www.thevisacode.com/post/update-u-s-visa-dropbox-interview-waiver-program-changes