The USCIS has introduced a new visa fee, and the US Embassy in India has announced significant changes to passport collection and visa renewal procedures for Indian applicants. In this article, we describe some of the changes that impact Indian’s applying for U.S. visas
End of Third-Party Passport Collection
Effective August 1, 2025, third parties are no longer allowed to collect passports from the visa application centers on behalf of visa applicants except for those who are under the age of 18 years (minors). Instead, applicants will be required to collect their passports in person or avail of a paid delivery service. If a parent or guardian is collecting the passport on behalf of a minor, the letter of authority must be signed by both parents. The Embassy has made it clear that scanned or emailed copies of this consent will not be accepted under any circumstances.
Introduction of Paid Passport Delivery to Home or Office
The Embassy has introduced an optional paid delivery service for passports. Under this service, passports can be sent directly to an applicant’s home or office at a cost of ₹1,200 per applicant.
Applicants must update their delivery preferences through the official visa services portal by logging in at https://ustraveldocs.com/.
New Fees Introduced under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”
Alongside other procedural changes, Indian applicants should anticipate increased visa costs. The “One Big Beautiful Bill” that was passed on July 4, 2025, introduces a new visa fee. Most applicants applying for non-immigrant visas will be required to pay a $250 Visa Integrity Fee. This fee is most likely to be imposed October 1, 2025, onwards, and will be in addition to the standard visa application fee. This change will significantly increase the total cost for popular categories such as B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F-1 student visas, and H-1B work visas. As explained by the U.S. government, this fee is being introduced to strengthen the integrity of the visa process, fund additional security screening, and offset administrative expenses. The fee will be refunded to applicants who follow the visa rules, such as not overstaying or violating their visa conditions. However, the exact refund process has not yet been explained.
Further, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” increases the I-94 fee that is usually imposed on foreign nationals when they cross land borders. This is an increase from the current fee of $6 to the new fee of $24, and it will be adjusted annually for inflation from FY 2026 onwards, based on the Consumer Price Index.
The End of the Interview Waiver Program
In addition to the above changes, the U.S. Department of State will severely truncate its broad Interview Waiver Program, commonly known as the “Dropbox” facility, on September 2, 2025. This program allowed certain visa applicants, particularly those renewing their visas, to skip an in-person interview and submit their documents through designated document collection centers.
With this change, most applicants, including those who previously qualified for an interview waiver, will now need to appear in person at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for an interview. The move aims to restore stricter screening measures and ensure a more thorough evaluation of each application.
The updated rules eliminate Dropbox eligibility for H, L, F, M, J, E, and O visas. Additionally, the policy also removes the earlier age-based exemptions. Now, children under 14 and adults over 79 will also be required to attend an in-person interview.
This shift is expected to place a higher demand on interview slots, which will lead to longer wait times and potential delays for visa applicants, particularly in high-volume locations such as India.
Exceptions to the New Rule
While most categories will now require in-person interviews, the following remain exempt:
- A-1 and A-2 visas
- Certain C-3 visas
- G-1 to G-4 visas
- NATO-1 to NATO-6 visas
- TECRO E-1 visa
Canceled Dropbox Appointments – What Should You Do?
If your Dropbox appointment was scheduled for August or September 2025 and has been canceled, you should:
- Check your email for the official cancellation notice.
- Log in to your visa profile and reschedule your appointment.
- Complete the updated eligibility questions and restart the process.
Once the visa application fee has been paid, the corresponding MRV receipt may be used once to schedule an appointment and, if required, once more to reschedule that appointment.
The U.S. Embassy has further clarified that a canceled appointment will not count toward the maximum number of reschedules permitted. This provides applicants with the flexibility to cancel an appointment without impacting their ability to rebook within the allowed limits.
Validity of Visa Fees and Related Challenges
Visa fee payments remain valid for 365 days. However, if the new appointment date is more than a year after the original payment, applicants may need to pay an additional fee unless granted an extension.
Those experiencing difficulties during rescheduling should contact the consular support desk for their location. Since appointment availability can change quickly, applicants are advised to check both their email and visa profile regularly for newly opened slots.
Conclusion
In conclusion, significant changes are coming to the U.S. visa process for Indian applicants from August through October 1, 2025. Applicants should be prepared, plan early, and stay updated to navigate the new requirements smoothly.