US Visa Interview Waiver (Dropbox) in India
Who Qualifies in India
The interview waiver — often called 'dropbox' — lets some applicants renew a US visa without an interview: you submit your passport and documents at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) instead. The State Department narrowed it sharply in 2025, so most applicants now need an in-person interview. Here is who still qualifies and how we help.
Hyderabad
Interview waiver appointments in Hyderabad
If you qualify, you drop off your documents at the Visa Application Centre instead of attending an interview. We check your eligibility before you pay the visa fee, so you don't book the wrong appointment. Visit our office in Toli Chowki, Hyderabad or send us your old visa and passport details online.
Who can still use the interview waiver?
Under the rules in force since 2 September 2025, the waiver is mainly for renewals of a full-validity B1/B2 visa (or Border Crossing Card) that expired less than 12 months ago, where the applicant was at least 18 when that visa was issued. Diplomatic and official visa categories have their own rules.
Even if you meet these conditions, the consular officer can still ask you to attend an interview. H-1B, F-1 and most other work and student visa applicants now need an interview.
Same visa categoryYou are renewing the same category of visa that expired within the last 12 months.
Applying in IndiaYou apply in your country of nationality or residence.
No refusalsNo previous visa refusal, unless it was overcome or waived.
No apparent ineligibilityNothing in your history that would make you ineligible for a visa.
What we do for interview-waiver applicants
Eligibility check
We check your old visa, dates and history against the current rules before you pay any fee.
DS-160
We fill the DS-160 for the renewal.
Appointment
We book the waiver (VAC drop-off) appointment, or an interview if you do not qualify.
Document pack
Passport, old passport with the visa, photo and supporting documents, ready for submission.
If you don't qualify
You will need an in-person interview at the U.S. Consulate. Interview waiting times in Hyderabad can be long, so book early — see our US visa wait time page and our USA visa slot booking service.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
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