The pandemic has changed the way many of our important documents are processed. There have been many changes, often more efficient ones, due to CORONA – 19. One such change has been the eligibility of some to renew their U.S visa without an interview with a U.S visa officer. This allows more visa holders to renew their visas without an interview and reduces the risk of exposure to COVID -19. It also makes the visa process more efficient. The extension for the interview waiver is till December, 31, 2022. The authorization to waive the in-person interview for applicants renewing a visa in the same visa class within 48 months of the prior visa’s expiration has been extended indefinitely. This article talks about U.S visa dropbox eligibility and the related details.
Visa Stamping
The visa is given as a stamp in your passport. This will happen once the application process has been completed and all the necessary requirements have been fulfilled.
Usually when you apply for a visa at a U.S consulate, it will require an interview and biometrics. However, some visa holders are eligible to receive the visa without the interview process. This is what the U.S. visa drop box concept is about.
What is the U.S Visa Drop Box ?
When you apply for visa renewal without requiring the visa interview (eligibility criteria below), it is known as utilizing the U.S. Visa Dropbox.There is no actual physical dropbox. The dropbox allows you to submit all the required documents and receive the visa stamp with no interview.
Eligibility
The requirements to be eligible for the U.S. Visa DropBox is:
- U.S visa types: Temporary Agricultural and Non-agricultural Workers (H-2 visas), Students (F and M visas), and Student Exchange Visitors (Academic J visas).
- You are renewing your visa in the same visa category
- Your most recent visa was issued in your home country (same country as renewal)
- You received your visa after January 1, 2008
- Your visa should not have annotations like “Clearance Received” or “Department Authorization”
- Your visa must have been issued after your 14th birthday
- Your visa hasn’t been lost, stolen, or canceled (i.e., you are not applying for replacement)
- You haven’t been refused a visa in any other visa category since your most recent visa was issued, and
- The visa must be valid or must have expired in the last 48 months.
Dependent Dropbox
Even if you are eligible for the U.S visa dropbox, your dependents may not be. Usually dependents will have to go through the interview process.
Why is the U.S. Visa dropbox eligibility being extended ?
U.S consulates are scheduling a limited number of appointments. The U.S. Department of State has therefore extended the use of the U.S. visa dropbox till December, 31, 2022.
How Long is the U.S Visa Dropbox Usage being Extended ?
It is being until December 31, 2022.
Extension for 48 Months of Visa Expiration
The authorization to waive the in-person interview for applicants renewing a visa in the same visa class within 48 months of the prior visa’s expiration has been extended indefinitely.
Processing Times
Processing times for renewing your visa through U.S. Visa Dropbox usually range from 1 day to 3 weeks (21 days).
U.S Visa Status Check
- You can check your US visa status online through CEAC portal, using the case number or CEAC barcode on the DS-160 confirmation page.
- You can check the status of your application as well as the processing times using your case number
- You can also call their customer service center at 1-800-375-5283 to ask about your case
Also Read: [2022] US Visa Application Fees – How Much Does a US Visa Cost?
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FAQs
They can apply until 48 months after visa expiration.
No, this refers to the process of applying for a visa without having to interview.
It has been extended till December 31, 2022.
Processing times for renewing your visa through U.S. Visa Dropbox usually range from 1 day to 3 weeks (21 days).
