Two questions here: 1) What I am experiencing above, is that the normal process? I am applying for my son Dropbox visa. I had 221(g) in Aug 2016 from employer A. I didnt persuade that one and got my I-797 transferred to employer B. Meaning, lets say you have a renewal for H1B, then your previous visa in your passport should be H1B as well. You need to ensure, that all the documents as per the checklist are in there. If anyone can shed any light on this what would help. 2) What if I book the OFC drop box for 2023 and consular visa appoint for 2025 at a diff location, to complete the second step where I usually fail. US Dept of State Extends interview waiver, 48-month Rule. Manish, Check with USTraveldocs they will help. Also, submitting parties may need to provide their identity documents as well. Now, from September 1. > THIS WAS THE MAIN DOUBTFUL QUESTION FOR ME. Example: lets say your eligibility of 48 months from expiry is ending on June 30th, 2023, then you need to submit documents 7 days before June 30th. but now it comes under Telangana,so what should I mention against Hyderabad. Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel. We promise to you, the visa applicant, that: At the same time, we expect you, the visa applicant, to: As of October 4, 2022 the Consular Exchange Rate will change from 82 Indian rupees to 1 U.S. dollar to 84 rupees to 1 U.S. dollar. However, my kids are not as both parents should have valid US visa as per criteria mentioned. Vinod, No, it will not. The U.S. Embassy/Consulate retains the right to call an applicant in for an interview, if necessary, and you must appear for interview at the post to which you submitted your renewal application. If you already have an account, you can use that. Can you please help me to understand this as it is stopping me to go forward without knowing the actual intent of this question ? 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. I have been issued a F1 previously however, I got rejected for B1/B2 and never received a visa in that category. You need to ensure, that all the documents as per the checklist are in there. My mom already have B1/B2 visa stamp on the passport which expires on Nov 5 2023. Read complete details at US Visa Appointment Dropbox Booking shows VAC instead of IW. The confirmation looks like in below screenshot. New, Renewal? Locations for Submission New Delhi Embassy Can only submit at New Delhi VAC, Chandigarh center and Jalandhar center Mumbai Consulate Can only submit at Mumbai VAC, Pune center and Ahmedabad center Chennai Consulate Can only submit at Chennai VAC , Bangalore center and Cochin center Hyderabad Consulate Can only submit at Hyderabad VAC Kolkata Consulate Can only submit at Kolkata VAC. Staff very cooperative and supportive at Pune VFS US DROPBOX CENTER. and H4 EAD with the new Biometrics process, was waiting for approval and finally How the availability works? GUIDE to Travel to US with valid Visa on Expired Passport ? Now I am trying to schedule the H4 appointment but it keep saying me that I am eligible for Visa waiver program. Check US Visa Consulates Updates COVID India for complete details on the appointments, USTravelDocs updates. I travelled once to US on H4 Visa. Cash 650/- as its VFS Global ( only exact cash no online payment ). Satya. I too am in the same situation as yours. I am dropbox eligible. I am not eligible for the H1-B dropbox based on the questionnaire. US Visa Approval & Refusal Rates by Country and Visa H1B Visa Tracker (FY 2023) US Visa Stamping Dropbox (Interview Waiver) Tracker US Visa Emergency Appointment Tracker USCIS Processing Times US Visa Appointment Times Did anybody have any luck in booking a dropbox appointment in May/June recently? Can the applicant send the documents thro a friend to drop at the location without physically present in india ? You need to have a Visa renewal in the same category. Dropbox appointment is mandatory in India for US visa Stamping. Does this mean I have a drop box appointment? So Im not eligible for Dropbox rt? (Not the most recent aka current H4 visa). Did you get your visa? My last US visa was valid till Jan 2018, which is beyond 48 months, and I have never received 221G. What should I mention in Ds160. However, my Consular appointment is in Hyderabad. When can you Apply for H1B Visa Stamping after Petition Approval? In the end, the website told me that I AM ELIGIBLE FOR DROPBOX. will it be bangalore ? Have not traveled since got the H1. My last h1b expired in aug 2019 and i moved to h4. Applicants must schedule an in-person or interview waiver appointment during this 365-day period. You can write to consulate/ ustraveldocs to get it clarified as well. Check Official news at State.gov. of my spouse H1B. You can consider planning next year. US Visa Appointment At Kolkata Consulate - Emergency Appointments Available. You cannot ignore it. And Im well under the 48 month deadline. Do I have to physically be at the VAC or can I use a representative to drop my passport? Curious to know what happened to your case? My husband and I have a US visa renewal (interview waived) dropbox appointment at Delhi VAC. Check the below screenshot and. Charg dAffaires, a.i. RedBus2US.com 2010 - 2023, All Rights Reserved. Good thing is in New Delhi it is showing 1 calendar day waiting. I got a nov 2022 date for a dropbox for h1b, trying to understand if that is for emergency or regular. Yes, it is mandatory. But now, you must schedule an appointment beforehand to drop off your documents for dropbox stamping. Does that means I am eligible for drop box? Yes, you should try to go back to dropbox, if it is really not an emergency. It is called a Visa Interview Waiver or Dropbox Visa Stamping. anita, It should be done within a day or two. Usually, if you are eligible for a Dropbox appointment, you would get a confirmation in the online system after you complete the questionnaire. i read that same visa class within 48 months of the prior visas expiration has been extended indefinitely ? In many cases, US Visa Dropbox Appointment is a must, if you are eligible for it. You can read more at Drop off documents at any Location in India Below is the difference on how it used to look. In-Peron Interview Waived for certain F, H1B, H4, and Others, Latest News 48 month Dropbox Validity, Timeline. H1 has drop box appointment booked for August (his last approval is not stamped). You need to go to the Consulate/VAC location at the respective date and time. How it all started : 2020 has been a year of travel restrictions and uncertainty. Note that during this period it will not be possible to withdraw the passport or expedite the processing under any circumstances. He can come between 10 am till 4 pm anytime and submit. You can continue with Dropbox by selecting the Drop-off button. I and my family was refuse a tourist visa early this year though we have been to usa more than 4 times. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, the American people have invested $2 million over the past 20 years in the documentation, conservation, and restoration of 21 key historic sites and intangible heritage in India. Official Press release on Travel.State.Gov, official news alert from US Department of State, US Visa Stamping Dropbox Appointment mandatory, if eligible, GUIDE to H1B Visa 2023 Lottery, Registration, Predictions, News, FAQs. I would like to know if the above docs are good enough or do i need to submit w-2 ,paystub ,green card , bank statement documents as well ( i am the representative ( son ) )? We have relocated within US after submitting DS-160 application for me and my spouse. Otherwise, you maybe eligible. They gave receipt for submitting documents which they ask when collecting back passport. I suggest you check with your attorney as well to be clear. AQI updates from U.S. Embassy and Consulates air quality monitors is available. You will be allowed to get the missing documents and submit them on the same day. US embassy Visa interview appointment confirmation. US Visa Dropbox Eligibility 48 months Extended Indefinitley, Background: US Visa Stamping In-Person Interview vs. Dropbox, Dropbox Stamping Requirement Extended to 48 months from Expiry. We will use the limited time available for theinterview to get as full a picture as possible of your travel plans and intentions. The rule states 48 months within expiration (implies after expiry date, am I correct?). See our Directory of Visa Categorieson usvisas.state.govto determine which visa category might be appropriate for your purpose of travel to the United States. But, starting from Sep 1st, 2019, it is mandatory for you to go for the dropbox option if you qualify for the interview waiver option based on the questions answered on CGI Federal website. If you applying for EAD, that would be with USCIS and they just need copies. Current passport and any old passports with a U.S. visa. RedBus2US.com 2010 - 2023, All Rights Reserved. I am confused why no interview slot option is prompted since I am not eligible for Dropbox. CovishieldandCovaxinare both accepted for the purposes of entry into the United States. It is been 9 working days and no update. It was given in the past during COVID as a guidance to the CBP Officer at the port of entry. What is the reality of US Visa Stamping Appointments? USA H4 Visa. Hi,I am currently on h4 visa and about to change visa to F1.Will I be applicable for drop box,?and what all documents would be required? So I decided to do an in-person interview(I see availability in all the consulates except Chennai during Dec/Jan). 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. Any response would be greatly appreciated. Since 48 month extension rule expired on Dec 31, will I be still eligible for Dropbox. Documents will only be accepted at locations mentioned in appointment letter, so please decide the Post before scheduling the appointment. Bipasha, There is no H4 EAD dropbox. Now, you are applying for B1/B2 visa renewal in India on November 1st, 2022. My companys lawyers told me that it should be fine to select L1 Individual on CGI federal for the stamping since my renewal was filed under L1B individual. As of November 8,2021, foreignnational air travelers to the United States arerequired to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and to provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane to fly to the United States, with only limited exceptions. While filling the visa application form it says that prior visa should not have annotation of Clearance received, which in my sense is my J-2 visa. Is this kind of delay common nowadays ? Also, if it is other classes of visa renewal, it is still the same 12 months requirements (should be valid or expired in the last 12 months). If not, email the consualte as well. ! I have the same question but my B1/B2 expiry is Dec 9 2023. As already it was very tough to get the dates and I dont want to lose this opportunity. For instance, as of October 2022, Indian Consulates are not yet open for regular operations. My H1B visa stamped in India expired in Sep 2020. I think you can reschedule your appointment up to four times. My family (spouse + 2 kids less than 14 yrs) excluding myself traveling to India. Do I qualify for the recent interview waiver program? Can you let me know how long it took for you and if visa approved? There is no end date for now on when this will expire. People will be removed whoever posts any messages other than slots and will not be added back. Below are the questions asked and how I answered them. Meantime we are renewing our Visas here and my question is do i need to go VISA stamping before retruns to US or can i do it in my next trip? Check the USTravelDocs website for the same. I ANSWERED: YES 5) Did your most recent application result in you being issued the visa? Learn more about quality higher-education opportunities in the U.S. that you will not find anywhere else in the world. Since Sep 2019, US Consulates in India introduced appointments for US Visa stampings using the Interview Waiver option, popularly called Dropbox. Important Notice: Interview Waiver Processing. So, not eligible. India Mexico Canada Browse by Country Worldwide Wait Times Dashboard. Alerts and Messages for U.S. visitors to India. Even though the system may allow you book an appointment, you should meet the 48-month requirement on the day of submission. If you haven't already have it.. Use below for tracking dates, its helpful. Hi, my b1/b2 visa had expired in nov 2018, making my 48 month window as nov 2022. sangita, Yes, you can, if the system prompts for the same. With this situation will I be eligible for the dropbox appointment as well? Irrespective of the US Consulate you select, now you can submit your documents at any location. But my US H4 visa was once stolen in the past. Knowingly you should not falsify information. The eligibility rule says that you are not eligible if after rejection you didnt receive visa in that category. Or the questionnaire is just to find the eligibility for drop box vs in person interview. One of our readers, Rajesh, got their H4 visa stamping done using Dropbox using the New Appointment Process at Hyderabad, India. Are we eligible for drop box if we want to apply. When you say it doesn't ask any questions for you wife, are you logged in as her and scheduling her process? On H4 Visa I have Annotation NIE UNDER PP ON RISK TO LABOR MARKET. Please visit our website to determine whether you are eligible for drop box processing and schedule an appointment for document drop-off. Now I am looking to book a dropbox appointment in Apr 2023. 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Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the CBP Officer at respective. Cash 650/- as its VFS Global ( only exact cash no online payment ) eligible to travel to with. Visa Stamping appointment Dropbox Booking shows VAC instead of IW mentioned in appointment letter, so what should mention! Book a Dropbox appointment at Delhi VAC Apply for H1B, then previous.