Reduction of criteria to qualify for an interview waiver/”drop box” appointment

Last updated: April 2025

The visa application process can be time-consuming, especially the in-person interview requirement. The U.S. Department of State’s Interview Waiver Program (also known as “drop box”) allows certain applicants to potentially skip the interview step when applying for nonimmigrant visas, but recent policy changes have significantly restricted eligibility. For example, under the Biden Administration an applicant issued a visa that expired within 48 months of the application may be eligible for an interview waiver. This timeframe has now been reduced to 12 months. This act to revert to prior criteria seems to be in line with the President’s Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists And Other National Security And Public Safety Threats

On February 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of State implemented immediate changes to visa interview waiver eligibility criteria, resulting in:

Sudden cancellations of existing drop box appointments
Administrative processing for some applicants who had already submitted documents
More restrictive eligibility requirements than the December 2023 policy
Longer wait times for visa appointments across all categories

These changes have created challenges for many visa applicants who had planned their applications based on the previous policy.

Current Interview Waiver Eligibility (as of February 18, 2025)

Under the new guidelines, interview waivers are now limited to:

Diplomatic and Official Categories

A-1 and A-2 visa applicants (diplomats and foreign government officials)
C-3 visa applicants (except attendants, servants, or personal employees of accredited officials)
G-1, G-2, G-3, and G-4 visa applicants (representatives to international organizations)
NATO-1 through NATO-6 visa applicants
TECRO E-1 visa applicants

Renewal Applicants

Individuals applying for a visa in the same category as their previous visa that expired less than 12 months prior to the new application

Additional Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for an interview waiver, applicants must also:

Apply in their country of nationality or residence (which means no third country national (TCN) applications will be accepted.
Have never been refused a visa (unless such refusal was overcome or waived)
Have no apparent or potential ineligibility

Another change to 9 FAM 305.4-3(D) must also be considered because nonimmigrant waiver applications under INA § 212(d)(3), which allows for an inadmissibility waiver, is now updated to state that “each recommendation for a waiver must be made anew and independently

What Changed from December 2023?

The February 2025 update significantly narrows eligibility compared to the December 2023 criteria, which had allowed:

Applicants to qualify if their previous visa in any category (except B-1/B-2) expired within the last 48 months
First-time H-2 visa applicants to qualify for interview waivers

The new policy reduces the renewal window from 48 months to just 12 months and requires the new application to be in the exact same visa category as the previous one.

Impact on Pending Applications

The sudden implementation has created uncertainty for applicants who:

Had already scheduled drop box appointments
Submitted documents under the previous policy
Were in administrative processing when the change occurred

Key Takeaways for Travelers and Employers

For Visa Applicants

Expect significantly longer visa appointment wait times
Schedule appointments well in advance of planned travel
Consider purchasing refundable travel accommodations

For Employers

Anticipate longer lead times for international new-hire onboarding
Build extra time into visa renewal processes
Adjust business travel planning to account for potential delays

Stay Informed

Visa policies and procedures can change quickly in response to global events, security concerns, and processing capacities. Always verify the most current information through official channels before submitting your application.

This information is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Requirements may change without notice.