Rule Changes Will Require Indians To Return Home For Visa Interviews

India-West Staff Reporter

WASHINGTON, DC – A change to U.S. visa processing rules means that Indians, including the thousands of workers in the tech industry, will now have to return to their home countries for in-person interviews.

The shift, analysts have told the media, that could delay their return to work and possibly jeopardize their employment.

The U.S. State Department has announced that, starting September 2, it will scrap the Interview Waiver Program — commonly known as the “Dropbox” facility — for most non-immigrant visa categories.

This means applicants for H-1B, L1, and F1 visas, among others, will be required to appear for in-person interviews at U.S. embassies or consulates, rather than simply submitting documents at designated centers.

Experts warn the change could lead to longer wait times for appointments in countries like India, increased travel costs, and the risk of losing work authorization if workers cannot return to the U.S. on time.

Indians, who make up the largest share of H-1B visa holders, are expected to be among the most impacted. In 2022, Indian nationals received 77% of the 320,000 approved H-1B visas, and in fiscal year 2023, they accounted for 72.3% of the 386,000 visas issued.

Under the updated rules, only a narrow set of applicants will remain eligible for interview waivers. These include holders of certain diplomatic and official visas (A-1, A-2, C-3, G-1 to G-4, NATO-1 to NATO-6, and TECRO E-1) and those renewing a full-validity B-1, B-2, or B1/B2 visa — or Border Crossing Cards for Mexican nationals.

U.S. authorities have advised applicants to check embassy and consulate websites for up-to-date information on appointment availability, eligibility rules, and operating status.