The US Visa Interview Waiver Program, or more commonly referred to as a Dropbox Visa Appointment, allows those applying for visa renewals to submit their application and required documents at a Visa Application Center and be approved without having to attend an in-person visa interview appointment.
This is an excellent option for those looking to renew their US visa quickly without having to wait for an in-person interview, which wait times are at an all-time high for.
US Visa Dropbox Appointment Elgibility
In order to qualify for an interview waiver, you must meet certain criteria. There are certain general requirements that must be met, including:
- You are renewing a visa that you were previously issued
- You are applying for a visa in your country of nationality or residence
- You were not previously refused a visa, unless it was waived or overcome
You can find more detailed information on Dropbox appointment eligibility on the USTravelDocs website.
The most recent Dropbox eligibility applies to applicants who are renewing any visa in the same category within 48 months of expiration. Interviews can be waived for the following types of visas:
- F
- H-1, H-3, H-4
- Non-blanket L
- M
- O
- P
- Q
- J (academic)
However, keep in mind that even if you meet this criteria, a consular office may still request an in-person interview for your visa renewal if additional information is required.
Dropbox Appointment Locations
Note
Beginning on October 1, 2023, dropbox applications will only be processed at the Chennai location (except for B1/B2 visas which will continue to be processed at all U.S. Embassies and Consulates. This means that appointments made after October 1, 2023 for interview waiver can only be made at the Chennai location. Documents can still be dropped off at any of the 5 VACs and 6 Document Drop-off Centers. Read more about this update here.
Before you drop off your documents, be sure to schedule a Dropbox or Visa Waiver appointment at a VAC on the USTravelDocs website. You can then drop off your passport along with all required documents mentioned on your submission letter at any of the following U.S. Embassy or Consulate locations:
Free of Cost Locations
| City | Hours of Operation | Address |
| Delhi | Mon-Fri 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Shivaji Stadium Metro Station Concourse Level Baba Kharak Singh Marg Connaught Place NewDelhi – 110001 |
| Mumbai | Mon-Fri 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Parinee Crescenzo, 101, 1st Floor A Wing, G Block, Bandra Kurla Complex Bandra East Mumbai – 400051 |
| Chennai | Mon-Fri 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Good Shepherd, No.82, Kodambakkam High Road, Nungambakkam Chennai – 600034 |
| Hyderabad | Mon-Fri 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Lower Concourse , Hitec City Metro Station, L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited – HITEC City, Madhapur, Hyderabad – 500081 |
| Kolkata | Mon-Fri 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Jasmine Tower 31 Shakespeare Sarani (1st Floor) Kolkata – 700017 |
Premium Paid Locations
Effective August 17, 2021, a fee of Rs.650/- per passport to be paid, in cash, at the time of submission of documents at the below mentioned locations.
| City | Hours of Operation | Address |
| Chandigarh | Mon-Fri 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m. | Elante Offices, Gate 3, Unit B 208, 2nd Floor, Block B, Plot No 178-178A, Industrail & Business Park, Phase-I, Chandigarh – 160002 Punjab – India |
| Jalandhar | Mon-Fri 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m. | Aman Plaza, 3rd floor, 310 Lajpat Nagar, Nakodar Chowk, Jalandhar, Punjab 144001 |
| Ahmedabad | Mon-Fri 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m. | Gujarat Chambers Building Shri Ambika Mills Ashram Road Ahmedabad – 380009 |
| Pune | Mon-Fri 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m. | 4th Floor, 93 Avenue Mall, Kalubai Chowk Fatima Nagar, Wanowarie Pune – 411022 Maharashtra – India |
| Bengaluru | Mon-Fri 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m. | Gopalan Innovation Mall, 22, Bannerghatta Main Rd, Sarakki Industrial Layout, 3rd Phase, J. P. Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560076 |
| Kochi | Mon-Fri 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m. | 1st Floor Coastal Chambers Opp. Mercy Hotel M.G Road Ravipuram Kochi Kerala – 682015 |
Dropbox Visa Processing Time
If you are applying for visa renewal via Dropbox appointment, you should allow up to three weeks from the time your passport has been accepted at the VAC you dropped your documents off at until your passport is ready for pick-up/delivered to you.
Relocation Updates
Relocation of U.S. Consulate General, Hyderabad
The U.S. Consulate General in Hyderabad is beginning its operations at its new facility starting March 20, 2023. The new facility is located at:
Sy. No. 115/1, Financial District, Nanakramguda, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500032
Current operations at the Paigah Palace will cease starting on March 15, 2023. Visa applicants who have a visa interview scheduled on or after March 23, 2023 should go to the U.S. Consulate’s new facility in Nanakramguda.
All other visa services including biometrics appointments, dropbox appointments (interview waiver), and passport pickup will continue to take place at the Visa Application Center (VAC), located at the Lower Concourse, HITEC City Metro Station, Madhapur, Hyderabad – 500081.
Relocation of Hyderabad Visa Application Center
The Hyderabad Visa Application Center (VAC) located at 1-8-384 & 385, Ground Floor, Gowra Grand, S.P Road, Hyderabad – 500003, has relocated to a new location as of January 8, 2023.
The new Visa Application Center will be located at:
Lower Concourse, Hitec City Metro Station, L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited – HITEC City, Madhapur, Hyderabad 500081
All Applicants visiting Hyderabad Visa Application Center for their scheduled appointments, document submission and passport collection are requested to visit the new location from January 08, 2023 and on.
For more information on the US Visa Interview Waiver Program, visit the USTravelDocs website.
