The U.S. Department of State Visa Appointment Service, USTravelDocs, announced interview waiver applications can be submitted free of cost at certain Visa Application Centers (VAC) where the Consulate or Embassy is located in India. If the individual chooses to file at a different location, a nominal charge of INR 650 per passport is due and requires payment at the time of submission. The use of drop box appointments streamlines the process with more appointments becoming available.
U.S. Visa Interview Waiver Program
Known commonly as the U.S. Visa Drop Box program, it eases the renewal process as well as speeds it up as no in-person visa interview is required. Certain elements are required to qualify for the program. Historically, individual visa holders must have a valid visa or one that expired within the previous year. Due to the pandemic, the U.S. Department of State extended the requirements for eligibility to help individuals more easily qualify for the drop box program. In addition, an incremental 20,000 drop box interview waiver appointment slots have been added. These slots will all be available by Spring 2022.
Process for Utilizing the VAC Locations
U.S. visa applicants who qualify for the interview waiver or drop box submission can use any of the locations noted for drop box U.S. visa stamping. There are no restrictions as to the location of the VAC used. Qualifying individuals can utilize a different location than their previously selected Embassy or Consulate. Remember, if not utilizing an Embassy or Consulate, an additional fee is required.
The below VACs are available for qualifying visa holders:
- Ahmedabad
- Bengaluru
- Chandigarh
- Chennai
- Hyderabad
- Jalandhar
- Kochi
- Kolkata
- Mumbai
- New Delhi
- Pune
U.S. Embassies and Consulates in India offering free drop-off or submission of U.S. visa documents include:
- Chennai VAC
- Hyderabad VAC
- Kolkata VAC
- Mumbai VAC
- New Delhi VAC
Pick up and drop off locations requiring cash payment for U.S. visa stamping include:
- Ahmedabad VAC
- Bengaluru VAC
- Chandigarh VAC
- Jalandhar VAC
- Kochi VAC
- Pune VAC
Drop box appointments are required to submit documents for stamping. Solely the appointment date and time are to be used. Individuals can request an expedited appointment. However, individuals must have a confirmed interview date to submit the request for an expedited appointment. At this time, individuals who are eligible for dropbox appointments will need to wait as there are no slots currently available. However, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) introduced new efforts to increase the speed of visa processing. Monitor the availability of appointment slots actively to ensure you take advantage of these benefits.
If you have any questions about your visa, the drop box program, or any other immigration-related issue, contact us at ILBSG. We actively monitor ongoing updates and ensure our clients get the right advice given the options available.
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