US Visa Stamping In India – Dropbox Appointment, OFC, FAQs

If you are applying for a US Visa for the first time, you need to apply for Biometrics & In-person Visa Interview appointments. But, if you are applying for its renewal, a biometrics appointment and interview appointment are not required; you just need an appointment to submit relevant documents.

In the past, before September 2019, you could walk into any US Visa Application Center(VAC) without any prior appointment and submit your documents for US visa renewal. But, starting in Sep 2019, US Consulates in India introduced appointments for US Visa stampings using the Interview Waiver option, popularly called Dropbox.

Update: Starting from September 2nd, 2025, the dropbox eligibility criteria is changing. Except B1/B2, most of the others are not eligible for dropbox renewals. Read full details at Dropbox Eligiblity Ends for H1B, F1, L1, Others. Only B1/B2, Other Changes

This article will look at the US Visa Dropbox or Interview Waiver process in India, what it means to anyone going for US Visa stamping, and common FAQs, including the changes after the Trump Administration took office in January 2025. We continue to update this article as new information and guidance is given by the US Department of State.

Article Contents hide 1. Background: US Visa Stamping with Renewal, aka Dropbox – Appointments 2. Process for Interview Waiver or Dropbox appointment Booking India 3. Do you need a Biometrics (OFC) Appointment for Dropbox? 4. US Visa types Eligible for Dropbox Appointment – H4, H1B, Others 5. Common FAQs

Background: US Visa Stamping with Renewal, aka Dropbox – Appointments

Starting September 1st, 2019, if you are eligible for the US Visa Interview Waiver, aka the Dropbox option, you must schedule an appointment with the Visa Application Center(VAC) to drop off your passport and all the supporting US visa application documents. This appointment booking applies to all Dropbox/ interview waiver applicants filing for their US Visa renewal or stamping in India.

Below are the three most significant changes since the introduction of the appointments for Dropbox:

• Dropbox Submission Mandatory: In the past (before Sep 2019), for US Visa renewals, you had the option to choose Dropbox submission for renewals, but it was not mandatory. It was your choice to pick Dropbox or an in-person appointment. But, starting from Sep 1st, 2019, you must go for the dropbox option, if you qualify for the interview waiver option based on the questions answered on the USVisaScheduling Website. The only exception is, if you have an emergency or compelling circumstance and you want to get an expedited appointment.
• Dropbox Appointment Mandatory: In the past(before September 2019), no appointment was required with Visa Application Center(VAC) to drop off documents. But starting from September 2019, you must schedule an appointment beforehand to drop off your documents for Dropbox stamping.
• Faster Processing Time: In the past, the average processing time for an interview waiver or Dropbox was about 3 weeks, and there was no SLA. From September 1st, 2019, the dropbox applicant will get a decision on their case within 7 to 10 business days from the day they submitted their documents.

Official Guidance – USTravelDocs Website

The official guidance from the USTravelDocs.com India website for renewing a US visa clearly states that “starting September 1st, eligible applicants MUST schedule an appointment in order to drop off their passports…” The screenshot below shows the same, and September 1st on the page corresponds to September 1st, 2019.

Dropbox Eligibility Requirements

The criteria for the US visa interview waiver or dropbox option have not changed with the introduction of appointment booking. All documents required have not changed. You are still required to submit all the required documents as before.

Generally, to renew a US Visa using the Dropbox option, your visa must be valid or expired within the last 12 months. During the Biden Administration, this was increased from 12 months from expiry to 48 months from expiry.

But, all the provisions by the Biden administration ended on February 10th, 2025, as the new Trump Administration removed these provisions and re-instated the “12 months from expiry” rule. You can read all of it at Dropbox Eligibility Reduced to 12 months and US Visa Dropbox Changes: Same Category, 12 months – FAQs

Update: Starting from September 2nd, 2025, the dropbox eligibility criteria is changing. Except B1/B2, most of the others are not eligible for dropbox renewals. Read full details at Dropbox Eligiblity Ends for H1B, F1, L1, Others. Only B1/B2, Other Changes

Below is the screenshot of the high-level Dropbox eligibility requirements for US Consulates and Embassy in India.

Process for Interview Waiver or Dropbox appointment Booking India

The standard process to book an in-person US Visa interview appointment is to go to the USVisaScheduling.com Website to register for an account and then schedule a general US visa interview appointment.

The process is no different for booking Dropbox Appointments as well; it is the same website, and you will be required to complete a questionnaire to check the Dropbox eligibility.

Below are the steps for Dropbox appointment booking in India:

• Step 1 – Register Account: You must register an account at USVisaScheduling Website. You can read more at Guide to create an account on USVisaScheduling Website.
• Step 2 – Complete Questionnaire Wizard: The US Visa Scheduling website, managed by CGI Federal, will give you a step-by-step wizard asking you a set of questions. Based on the answers you provide, your dropbox eligibility is determined. You will get the Dropbox appointment eligibility confirmation at the end of the completion of the questionnaire.
• Step 3 – Confirmation for Dropbox Appointment: If you are eligible based on the answers you provide, the system will automatically give you a confirmation saying you qualify for an interview waiver or dropbox. Below is a screenshot of how it looks.
• Step 4 – Book Dropbox Appointment: After the confirmation screen, you will be prompted to put in the Machine Readable Visa(MRV) fee payment receipt details and then prompt to book the appointment date to drop off documents.

The screenshot below is how the confirmation screen appears if you qualify for the dropbox/ interview waiver visa stamping on USVisaScheduling.com website:

Note: In the past, there was a restriction on where you can submit documents for dropbox visa stamping. As of now, in 2025, that restriction is not there anymore. Irrespective of the US Consulate you select, now you can submit your documents at any location. There is a fee of Rs. 850 for pick up and Rs. 850 for submission that you need to pay, if you are submitting at non-Consulate locations(Document Delivery Locations). You can read more at Drop off documents at any Location in India. Below is the screenshot of the fees that you need to pay at Document Delivery Locations.

List of Common Documents for Dropbox Stamping in India

Below are the list of common documents that everyone going for dropbox stamping in India must carry/submit:

• Dropbox/ Interview Waiver Appointment Letter
• Confirmation page of DS-160 page from CEAC website
• 1 Photo as per the US Passport Photo Specification.
• Current Passport along with the last issued US Visa. If you have multiple passport, old passport with/without US Visa.
• Proof of residency in India, if you are an Indian resident or for Third country nationals, provide documentation related to the same.

Below is the screenshot of the list of common documents as it appears on the USTravelDocs India website. For your Visa Specific documents, check the appointment letter, it has those details.

If you are looking for H1B Visa specific dropbox process, you can check out Step by Step Guide for H1B Visa Dropbox Appointment Booking – India

Do you need a Biometrics (OFC) Appointment for Dropbox?

In general, there is no requirement for giving Biometrics at Offsite Facilitation Center(OFC) or Visa Application Center(VAC), when you book a US Visa stamping appointment using the Dropbox or Interview waiver option. But, when you try to book the appointment, the online system shows “Schedule OFC Appointment” as in the below screenshot, which can be confusing as the same message is shown for a Biometrics appointment as well.

The text “Schedule OFC appointment” on the appointment booking screen can be confusing, but they have a reason. Technically, ‘OFC’ Stands for ‘Offsite Facilitation Center’ and the Visa appointment system is asking you to book an appointment to drop off your US Visa documents at an Offsite Facilitation Center(OFC). So, do not be confused with the text with OFC on the top.

Also, do not be confused if you see ‘VAC’ instead of ‘IW’ in the dropdown on the same screen.

In the past, before Nov 28, 2021, the last 3 letters in the dropdown used to say ‘IW’, which meant ‘Interview Waiver’ and it was easy to identify the dropbox appointment. This changed to VAC starting from Nov 28th, 2021. Do not be confused. It still means dropbox appointment booking, if you were given the dropbox confirmation screen. Read complete details at US Visa Appointment Dropbox Booking shows VAC instead of IW

US Visa types Eligible for Dropbox Appointment – H4, H1B, Others

The appointment requirement for US Visa Dropbox applications applies to all of the US visa types that are currently eligible for interview waiver or dropbox. Below are some of the most common visa types that are relevant for our readers.

• H1B, L1 Visa: If you are an H1B or L1 visa holder applying for visa renewal, then it applies to you.
• H4 Visa: If you are an H4 Visa holder waiting for approval and traveling out for stamping, then it applies to you.
• F1 Visa: F1 visa holders going for visa renewal, who are studying in the same school for which the visa was issued in the past
• B1/B2 Visa: It applies to B1/B2 visa renewals done using the Dropbox option.
• In addition to the above, there are many other visa types that are eligible for interview waiver or dropbox as well. Check the USTravelDocs website for the same.

Below are some of the Dropbox Visa Stamping Experiences articles and links

• Latest 250+ US Visa Stamping User Experiences: H1B, H4, Others
• H4 Dropbox Experience using Dropbox Appointment Process
• H1B Dropbox Appointment Stamping – 221g Green Slip Experience Mumbai

Common FAQs

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions(FAQs) in the context of dropbox appointments.

Can I schedule a dropbox appointment before going to India, when in the US?

Yes, you can schedule the appointment from the US or anywhere in the world, before you arrive in India. You do not have to be physically in India to book the dropbox appointment.

How many days will I get the Visa Stamping decision with New Dropbox Changes?

You will very likely get a decision on your visa stamping within 7 to 10 business days from the day you dropped off your documents. Sometimes, there are delays, factor in some buffer time.

Can someone else submit my visa application documents at the dropbox location?

Yes, you can ask someone else like your friend, spouse, or travel agent to submit your visa application documents on your behalf. You need to ensure, that all the documents as per the checklist are in there.  Also, submitting parties may need to provide their identity documents as well.

What if I miss the US Visa dropbox Appointment, can I reschedule?

Yes, you can reschedule the appointment. They will mark your receipt as unused after 24 hours and then you can re-schedule to the new date and print a new confirmation letter for the drop off of the documents.

What do I select for Drop off Appointment? Can I select the Date and Time Slot?

You select the location of drop-off, date, and time for the appointment. You need to go to the Consulate/VAC location at the respective date and time. The confirmation looks like in below screenshot and it is listed under the OFC Appointment Details Section

Can I schedule a visa dropbox appointment for me and my wife at the same time?

Yes, both of you can technically select the same date and drop off documents together. The system will show the date and time slots accordingly.

Can I submit documents in a different location than on my Dropbox appointment letter?

In the past, you could only submit your visa stamping documents at the specified dropbox location. But, starting from April 4th, 2022, you can submit your documents at any of the US Consulates or VAC locations across India. It will be free of charge for Consulate locations and there is a fee of Rs 850 INR for pickup and Rs. 850 INR for submission, if you are submitting in other locations. Check US Visa Dropbox: Can drop off documents at any VAC location

Can I send my passport and documents from the US for dropbox using International Courier?

No, the applicant must be physically present in their home country(India) to submit the passport and visa stamping supporting documents. Only appointment scheduling can be done, when you are in the US.

Where can we drop off documents for US Visa stamping with the new process?

It is suggested to select a dropbox location to drop off documents at the below centers based on where you plan to give the visa interview. If you were to be called for an interview, you will be called to the respective consulate that is tied to the relevant drop-off location. So, choose this carefully, if you prefer a choice. Applicants for Delhi Consulate: Drop off at New Delhi, Chandigarh, or Jalandhar centersApplicants for Mumbai Consulate: Drop off at Mumbai, Ahmedabad, or Pune centers. Applicants for Chennai Consulate: Drop off at Chennai, Kochi, or Bangalore. Applicants for Hyderabad Consulate: Drop off at Hyderabad Center. Applicants for Kolkata Consulate: Drop off at Kolkata CenterThe above suggestion is a recommendation, but it is totally up to you to pick the consulate and drop off location. There are no restrictions as such.

Can I change the visa interview location that I was given after dropbox submission?

No, you cannot change the US Visa interview location. You must attend the visa interview at the location you were asked to attend.  It is important to choose your preferred drop-off location tied to the consulate as listed above when you book the appointment.  

After dropbox submission, I was called for an in-person interview, Can I skip it?

No, you must appear for the interview. You cannot skip if you were asked to attend the visa interview.

Is it really mandatory to schedule an appointment for Dropbox with the new process ?

Yes, it is mandatory. You will need to select the appointment date, and location to drop off your documents. It is not optional anymore.

What if I am missing documents during Submission? My options?

You will be allowed to get the missing documents and submit them on the same day. If you cannot submit as per the checklist, then you cannot submit on that day, you will need to re-schedule your dropbox appointment.

Can I see a Sample US Visa Dropbox Appointment Letter?

You can check it out at Sample US Visa Dropbox Appointment letter

You may also check the US Visa Dropbox Stamping Experiences page for the most recent user experiences. Below is the document that was released by US Consulates when they introduced Dropbox Stamping with Appointments.

What has been your experience with the dropbox appointments so far? Your thoughts ?

References: USTravelDocs.com – Visa Waiver Official Page