Planning to apply for a U.S. visa from India? The visa process is undergoing some noteworthy changes, and if you’re preparing your application, it’s crucial to stay informed. From new rules on passport collection to additional fees and changes in interview exemptions, several updates will soon come into effect. Here’s a breakdown of what’s changing and what remains the same.
Key Changes in the U.S. Visa Process
1. Passport Collection Now Limited
Starting August 1, 2025, applicants will no longer be able to authorize unrelated third parties to collect their passports from visa centers. Only the applicant or an immediate family member may do so. For children, parents or legal guardians can collect the passport, but they must present an original, signed authorization letter from both parents. Digital scans or emailed copies will not be accepted.
2. Paid Home Delivery of Passports
Also from August 1, 2025, applicants will have the option of getting their passport delivered directly to their home or office for a fee of ₹1,200 per applicant. This can be chosen by updating delivery preferences through the official U.S. visa portal.
3. Introduction of the Visa Integrity Fee
From October 1, 2025, most non-immigrant visa applicants will be required to pay a new $250 “Visa Integrity Fee.” This fee will be used to strengthen security checks and support the administration of visas. There may be a possibility of a refund for compliant applicants, though the specific refund process hasn’t been confirmed yet.
4. Stricter Interview Rules (Dropbox Programme)
The once widely used interview waiver option, commonly called Dropbox, is being narrowed considerably from September 2, 2025. Many applicants who previously skipped in-person interviews will now be required to attend one. This includes categories like H, L, F, M, J, E, and O visas. Even children under 14 and seniors over 79, who were earlier exempt, must now appear in person.
5. Unaffected Visa Categories
Some categories will remain unchanged and won’t need to comply with these updates. These include A-1, A-2, certain C-3 visas, G-1 to G-4, NATO-1 to NATO-6, and TECRO E-1 visas.
What Stays the Same
Despite these updates, many aspects of the process remain unchanged:
- Visa fee validity: Payment continues to be valid for 365 days.
- Appointment scheduling: Appointments must still be booked via the official portal.
- Documents required: The checklist of documents needed for visa applications has not been altered.
If your Dropbox appointment for August or September 2025 was canceled, you will receive an official email notification. You must log into your account, answer the updated eligibility questions, and reschedule. Previously paid MRV receipts will still be valid and a cancelled appointment will not reduce your rescheduling attempts.
