New Delhi: In case you are planning to use for a U.S. visa from India, there are some essential updates you want to concentrate on. The U.S. visa course of is evolving with new charges, modifications in procedures and up to date guidelines that can impression the way you apply for, obtain and renew your visa.
Let’s break down what’s coming, what’s staying and the way these modifications may have an effect on your utility.
What’s New In The U.S. Visa Course of For Indians?
1. No Extra Third-Celebration Passport Assortment
Efficient date: August 1, 2025.
In case you are making use of for a U.S. visa any further, you or a chosen member of the family might want to gather your passport in individual. This implies no extra third-party assortment at visa utility centres, with the one exception being for minors.
What you’ll want to do: You’ll both have to select up your passport in individual or select a paid supply choice to have it despatched to your property or workplace.
For minors: Mother and father or guardians can gather the passport, however they’ll want a letter of authority signed by each dad and mom. No scanned or emailed variations of this letter can be accepted.
2. New Elective Paid Passport Supply Service
Efficient date: August 1, 2025. Now you can choose to have your passport delivered on to your property or workplace, saving you a visit to the visa centre.
Price: Rs 1,200 per applicant
The best way to entry it: Log into your account on ustraveldocs.com and replace your supply preferences to pick this selection.
3. The New Visa Integrity Price
Efficient date: October 1, 2025. A brand new Visa Integrity Price can be added to most non-immigrant visa functions, as a part of the “One Huge Lovely Invoice” handed in July 2025.
Quantity: $250
Goal: This price will assist fund further safety measures and enhance the integrity of the visa course of. The aim is to offset prices associated to administering visas, together with safety screening.
Refund eligibility: For those who adjust to all visa rules, chances are you’ll be eligible for a refund, although the precise course of stays unclear.
4. Modifications to the Interview Waiver Programme (Dropbox)
Efficient date: September 2, 2025. The Interview Waiver Programme (usually often called the Dropbox programme) will now have a narrower scope. Candidates who beforehand didn’t want an interview will now be required to attend one in individual.
Impacted visas: This variation applies to classes corresponding to H, L, F, M, J, E and O visas.
Age exemptions: Beforehand, youngsters underneath 14 and adults over 79 might skip interviews. Beneath the brand new guidelines, these age teams can even have to attend in individual.
5. Visa Classes That Received’t Be Affected
Whereas many classes will see these modifications, there are nonetheless some that stay unaffected.
Exempt visas: A-1 and A-2 visas, sure C-3 visas, G-1 to G-4 visas, NATO-1 to NATO-6 visas and TECRO E-1 visa.
What Stays The Identical?
Whereas there are some vital modifications, the essential course of for U.S. visas stays largely unchanged.
Visa price validity: Funds will nonetheless be legitimate for one year.
Appointment scheduling: You’ll proceed to ebook your appointments by way of the official portal.
Required paperwork: The checklist of paperwork wanted to your visa utility has not modified.
What To Do If Your Dropbox Appointment Was Cancelled?
In case your Dropbox appointment for August or September 2025 has been canceled, right here is how one can proceed:
Verify for the official discover: Search for an e-mail with the cancellation discover.
Reschedule the appointment: Log into your visa profile and reschedule it. Don’t forget to finish the up to date eligibility questions.
Use paid MRV receipts: You need to use beforehand paid MRV receipts to schedule or reschedule your appointment as soon as. The U.S. Embassy has confirmed {that a} cancelled appointment is not going to depend towards the variety of allowed reschedules.
All the time verify the official U.S. Embassy or consulate web sites for the newest directions to make sure you are updated with the latest processes.