H-1B Interviews Must Be In-Person Starting Sep 2025

The United States has announced a significant change in its nonimmigrant visa processing, making in-person interviews mandatory for most applicants, including H-1B visa holders, from September 2, 2025. The move ends the widely used Dropbox or Interview Waiver Program, which allowed eligible applicants to renew visas without visiting a consulate.

The change will affect thousands of Indian tech professionals working in the U.S., many of whom travel to India for visa renewals. Experts warn the policy could lead to longer processing times, potential job disruptions, and travel delays, especially for those in the tech sector.

Bill Hing, Professor of Law and Migration Studies at the University of San Francisco, cautioned that the new rules might leave workers “stuck abroad” if they cannot secure interview slots quickly. Immigration lawyer Kelli Duehning from BAL added that prolonged delays “could cost H-1B workers their jobs.”

The rule applies broadly to nonimmigrant categories such as H-1B, L-1, F-1, and J-1 visas. Only limited exemptions will remain, and most applicants must now appear in person for interviews at U.S. embassies or consulates.

Industry leaders in Silicon Valley—where H-1B visa holders make up a large portion of the workforce—fear operational challenges as a result. Many companies are advising employees to plan travel and visa appointments months in advance to avoid disruptions.

This change marks a return to pre-pandemic visa protocols, reflecting a shift towards stricter security and screening measures in U.S. immigration policy.