New U.s. Visa Rules For Indian Applicants: Passport Collection, Interview Changes & Fees

Published on August 27, 2025

Changes to Who Can Pick Up Your Passport

As of August 1, 2025, applicants tin nary longer inquire personification other to prime up their passport astatine visa exertion centers. The caller norm covers astir group applying for U.S visas. The only objection is visa applicants nether 18. Teens whitethorn still person a genitor aliases guardian prime up nan passport. If you are applying and you want your passport back, you must either spell successful personification aliases prime a paid courier transportation option.

Beginning September 2, 2025, nan U.S. Department of State is narrowing nan Interview Waiver Program, often called nan Dropbox program. As a result, galore applicants who utilized to suffice for nan waiver and ne'er had to be a face-to-face question and reply will now person to schedule one. This update includes group applying for H, L, F, M, J, E, and O visas. Additionally, nan existing property exemptions for children younger than 14 and adults older than 79 will beryllium eliminated. Those property groups must now look for an in-person interview.

Even pinch nan caller rules, definite visa types still do not require an in-person interview. These dwell of A-1 and A-2 visas (for negotiated personnel), immoderate C-3 visas, G-1 to G-4 visas, NATO-1 to NATO-6 visas, and nan TECRO E-1 visa, which serves business professionals from Taiwan. Applicants successful these categories tin proceed to usage nan Dropbox option.

What Stays nan Same?

Even pinch nan caller updates, immoderate pieces of nan U.S. visa process for Indian applicants still activity nan measurement they ever did. Start pinch nan visa fee: it remains valid for 365 days from nan time you salary it. You tin re-use immoderate interest you’ve already paid to book aliases move an appointment, and you’ll still spell done nan aforesaid assignment portal astatine ustraveldocs.com. That portion of nan process hasn’t changed.

The checklist of documents you request besides stays nan same. You’ll still stitchery nan aforesaid items—your passport, nan visa exertion form, and immoderate documents required for nan circumstantial type of visa you’re applying for. No caller paperwork aliases forms person been added to nan list.

What to Do If Your Dropbox Appointment Was Cancelled?

If your Dropbox assignment for August aliases September 2025 sewage cancelled, there’s nary request to panic. Just travel these elemental steps to group up a caller appointment. First, cheque your email for nan cancellation announcement from nan U.S. authorities truthful you person each nan accusation you need. Then log backmost into your visa floor plan and take nan action to reschedule. You’ll request to reply nan eligibility questions again and commencement nan exertion process from that point.

Remember, nan MRV (visa fee) receipt you already paid still useful for this caller appointment, and you tin reschedule erstwhile astatine nary other cost, truthful there’s nary interest punishment for moving it.

Conclusion

Starting successful 2025, caller U.S. visa rules for Indian applicants will bring immoderate large changes. There are now limits connected who tin prime up your passport, caller fees to pay, and different tweaks to really nan full visa process works. Staying updated is nan only measurement to debar surprises. Always double-check nan latest specifications connected nan charismatic U.S. Embassy successful India website aliases connected nan U.S. Department of State page. Following these tips will thief your visa exertion spell smoothly and connected time.