Overview
US “Interview Waiver Program” allow qualified individuals to apply for additional classes of visas without being interviewed in person by a U.S. consular officer.
Not all applications will be accepted for streamlined
processing. As always, consular officers may interview any visa applicant
in any category. Applicants who are renewing their visas may still need
to make an appointment for biometrics (fingerprint and photograph) collection,
and all applicants must submit all required fees and the DS-160 application
form.
Eligibility Criteria
INTERVIEW WAIVER PROGRAM "DROPBOX" CHECKLIST
If
you can answer “yes” to the following questions, you qualify for our Interview
Waiver Program “Dropbox”. Please login and create your profile and drop off
your passport at one of the 11 service centers.
S. No.
|
Checklist Question
|
Answer
|
Comment/Concern
|
1
|
Received my
visa after November 1, 2008
|
||
2
|
Have a previous U.S. visa in the same class
as the visa for which I wish to renew
|
||
3
|
Previous
visa was issued in India
|
||
4
|
Most recent visa (in the same visa class for
which I am applying) was issued on or after my 14th birthday
|
||
5
|
Have no
refusals for a visa in any category after my most recent visa issuance
|
||
6
|
Applying for a B1/B2, C1D, F, or J visa, my
prior visa in the same classification is still valid or expired within the
last 48 months
|
||
7
|
Applying for
an H or L (individual) visa, my prior visa in the same classification with
the same petitioner is still valid or expired within the last 12 months.
Note: L (Blanket) visa does not qualify.
|
||
8
|
Prior visa is not annotated “Clearance
Received”
|
||
9
|
Most recent
visa (in the same visa class for which I am applying) was not lost or stolen
|
INTERVIEW WAIVER PROGRAM CHECKLIST
If you can answer “yes” to the following questions,
you qualify for our Interview Waiver Program. Please schedule an appointment at
an OFC for fingerprinting.
S. No.
|
Checklist Question
|
Answer
|
Comment/Concern
|
1
|
Received my
visa after August 1, 2004
|
||
2
|
Have a previous U.S. visa in the same class
as the visa for which I wish to renew
|
||
3
|
Previous
visa was issued in India
|
||
4
|
Most recent visa (in the same visa class for
which I am applying) was issued on or after my 14th birthday
|
||
5
|
Have no refusals
for a visa in any category after my most recent visa issuance
|
||
6
|
Applying for a B1/B2, C1D, F, or J visa, my
prior visa in the same classification is still valid or expired within the
last 48 months
|
||
7
|
Applying for
an H or L (individual) visa, my prior visa in the same classification with
the same petitioner is still valid or expired within the last 12 months.
Note: L (Blanket) visa does not qualify.
|
||
8
|
Prior visa is not annotated “Clearance
Received”
|
||
9
|
Most recent
visa (in the same visa class for which I am applying) was not lost or stolen
|
Difference between Dropbox submission and Interview Waiver
- Dropbox Submission – Dropbox doesn’t require finger print submission.
- Interview Waiver – Requires finger print submission when received visa before November 1st 2008.
How to Apply
Step 1
Pay the visa application fee
and any reciprocity fee associated with your visa. This
webpage lists
all of the visa fees associated with the most common nonimmigrant visa types.
Instructions for how to pay your fees are available on this
webpage.
Step 2
Complete the Nonimmigrant
Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form. After completing the
form, print and save your confirmation page.
Step 3
Register an account on this
webpage. Follow the steps to schedule an interview. Answer the
questions carefully.
If you
meet the requirements for interview waiver:
- Schedule an appointment at one of our OFCs (link to OFCs) where your fingerprints and photo will be taken.
- Your current passport
- Your current or most recent visa
- Supporting documentation required for your visa type
- Children applying through IWP or dropbox should submit photocopies of their parents’ visas.
If you
qualify for drop-box submission, you will receive a drop-box submission letter
containing a document checklist. Print two copies of the drop-box letter and
insert the following documents into a "drop box" package, then seal
the package:
- Your current passport
- Your current or most recent visa
- One copy of the drop-box letter
- One photograph taken within the last six months (conforming to the guidelines on this webpage). In the vast majority of cases, YOU MAY NOT SUBMIT THE SAME PHOTOGRAPH THAT APPEARED ON YOUR LAST VISA. Failure to submit a valid photograph will delay the processing of your case.
- Supporting documentation required for your visa type
- Children applying through IWP or dropbox should submit photocopies of their parents’ visas.
Step 4
Deliver your documents for IWP
at one of our OFCs or drop box visa application to a Team
Stanley Office. Bring the second copy of your document checklist with you. A
Team Stanley employee will review your document checklist before accepting your
application for delivery to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate.
Step 5
If additional information is
needed to complete processing of your case, you will be informed by email. If
your application is approved, your passport and visa will be delivered for
pickup to your selected Document Collection center you specified when you
scheduled your interview. Details on passport delivery are available on this
webpage.
