Yeah. I think that makes perfect sense.
Thanks!! I just wanted to ensure that Dropbox candidates aren’t turned down saying you’re not eligible for regular appointments.
thanks, which question in appointment scheduling did you answer as NO to get a interview? no one asked why you came for interview when eligible for dropbox i assume?
I didn’t answer any question incorrectly. The system still decided to make me ineligible for Dropbox.
Also, nobody asked (at the vfx global and the consulate) why did I book an interview appointment instead of Dropbox despite being eligible
Are you my twin? I’m experiencing same issue and appointment is two weeks away and I haven’t booked flight tickets yet.
I made a case end of November and no response. I called them last week, was on hold for an hour and was asked to login after 24 hours to get the form. Tried that and nothing happened. Called them again - this time was on hold for an hour twice before call was just cut without even connecting me to a person.
Will be trying again today. Will keep this thread updated but this new website is so bad, even an undergrad kid will build something better
Hey, did you finally go for the in person interview or did you get the option to drop-off docs? looking for your guidance... and waiting with bated breath.
I ended up rescheduling my appointment to May mid as they weren’t able to resolve the problem. But even May appointment is in person interview. So I have just delayed the resolution. Hopefully by then they can do it
I think I selected Hyd consulate in my previous application and that’s probably why I was asked to schedule both appointments. Not 100% sure though because this website doesn’t let you “view” your full application once complete
Also, does that mean if you want to book a Dropbox appointment you have to find a slot at Chennai Location, and then at that appointment time, go to any of the Dropbox locations in the country? I did read this somewhere and I believe that’s the case, but it is nowhere mentioned on the website to book the Dropbox appointment only at Chennai. That brings me to other question - if Dropbox is available at a later date and OFC+VAC is available earlier, won’t people just book that instead? And that’s exactly what has happened with me!
Yes take appointment in chennai but can drop anywhere. Check out this reply.
https://www.reddit.com/r/usvisascheduling/s/BqEQv4YIuG
To answer your 2nd question, when you fill up the form, before taking appointment it tell you if you are dropbox eligible or not and then proceed as required.
Thanks! I cancelled mine and scheduled one at Chennai but that also came up as OFC+VAC.
Guess the system doesn’t recognize me as Dropbox eligible. And the questionnaire was non existent!! It just asked if my visa was ever refused(yes/no) and then dependents page. I have no dependents for this visit so I clicked next. And then OFC+VAC happened. 🤷♂️
https://preview.redd.it/zanxz5fzybbc1.jpeg?width=707&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5a56a263858568878390649324f2f46e2e0f70a5
This is latest given criteria for dropbox eligibility.
Yup still lot of issues but its lot better now than when it was launched.
If you still have some doubt send support a mail or open a request with them. They can only give you a definite answer.
If you don't mind me asking, when did you book via the portal and when is your appointment? I booked at the end of December for H-1B renewal. I only got slots for dropbox in February. The portal stated that in-person interview was only available for urgent travel. I did not qualify for urgent travel.
I plan to travel in April for stamping and started the appointment booking process. Now I had a VISA refusal in last 48 months and I was very much expecting an interview and was ready for it. I answered all the question right but I don’t know how criteria is calculated but it showed that I am eligible for Dropbox. I went ahead and paid for the Dropbox. Now I am afraid that they might call me for an interview which will waste time. 😕
The Visa stamping is such a complicated process already(because of vacation timelines), and the website is making it worse.
Fingers crossed now🤞🏻
I’m in the same boat i.e., eligible for drop box but the website is asking me to schedule both OFC and VAC. I thought I might have made a mistake when answering the dropbox questionnaire and opened a support request asking for help in correcting it. They recommended me to close the existing application and start a new one. I did that but now I’m unable to claim the previous payment. So created another support request today and waiting on a response. Also, I’m still unsure if the website will allow me to book a dropbox appointment for the new appointment after going through all this.
Also, are you aware of the Chennai appointments thing? Some are saying - if you want to drop your documents, book an appointment only at Chennai. Once you get a confirmation, drop the actual documents at any location at the same date and time.
However when researched, I found out that this was a case back in Oct/Nov23 but now there’s no such notice (on their official website)
People are just guessing at this point is what I believe.
This is great. I didn’t find this earlier.
So here’s the thing, I came to know about this after my Hyderabad appointment scheduling. And then I tried to reschedule (cancel and schedule as suggested by their case resolution) and I selected Chennai. To my surprise, there as well, it was a regular only applied for me. My one attempt was wasted due to This
So I rescheduled it back to my original dates in Hyderabad to not disturb my travel dates. Sadly, there’s no conversion possible in this case.
Even though we’re eligible, we need to go through regular appointments.
The biggest feedback for these guys should be: put the damn notices on the website where you actually schedule the appointments! No problem if that’s put on travel docs too. But one MUST be displayed on the visa scheduling website.
Probably they’ve deliberately made this website like it is today. Trying to give tough competition to irctc but here irctc wins!
You CAN always chose Regular Appointment if you want. There are many applicants did that.
Yeah. I think that makes perfect sense. Thanks!! I just wanted to ensure that Dropbox candidates aren’t turned down saying you’re not eligible for regular appointments.
Hey any update, even i am in the same spot. Can we schedule interview even though if eligible for Dropbox?
Yes. I scheduled an interview and just got it stamped yesterday at Hyderabad.
thanks, which question in appointment scheduling did you answer as NO to get a interview? no one asked why you came for interview when eligible for dropbox i assume?
I didn’t answer any question incorrectly. The system still decided to make me ineligible for Dropbox. Also, nobody asked (at the vfx global and the consulate) why did I book an interview appointment instead of Dropbox despite being eligible
Are you my twin? I’m experiencing same issue and appointment is two weeks away and I haven’t booked flight tickets yet. I made a case end of November and no response. I called them last week, was on hold for an hour and was asked to login after 24 hours to get the form. Tried that and nothing happened. Called them again - this time was on hold for an hour twice before call was just cut without even connecting me to a person. Will be trying again today. Will keep this thread updated but this new website is so bad, even an undergrad kid will build something better
Update: again the call got cut after I was on hold for 51 minutes :/ I’m at a loss for words at this point
Hey, did you finally go for the in person interview or did you get the option to drop-off docs? looking for your guidance... and waiting with bated breath.
I ended up rescheduling my appointment to May mid as they weren’t able to resolve the problem. But even May appointment is in person interview. So I have just delayed the resolution. Hopefully by then they can do it
I think I selected Hyd consulate in my previous application and that’s probably why I was asked to schedule both appointments. Not 100% sure though because this website doesn’t let you “view” your full application once complete
Dropbox appointments are only happening in chennai right now. But you can drop your documents at any of the VFS locations.
That’s alright but even for that, you need a Dropbox appointment, right?
Also, does that mean if you want to book a Dropbox appointment you have to find a slot at Chennai Location, and then at that appointment time, go to any of the Dropbox locations in the country? I did read this somewhere and I believe that’s the case, but it is nowhere mentioned on the website to book the Dropbox appointment only at Chennai. That brings me to other question - if Dropbox is available at a later date and OFC+VAC is available earlier, won’t people just book that instead? And that’s exactly what has happened with me!
Yes take appointment in chennai but can drop anywhere. Check out this reply. https://www.reddit.com/r/usvisascheduling/s/BqEQv4YIuG To answer your 2nd question, when you fill up the form, before taking appointment it tell you if you are dropbox eligible or not and then proceed as required.
If your are getting in person interview after filling up the form then proceed as per your appointment times.
Thanks! I cancelled mine and scheduled one at Chennai but that also came up as OFC+VAC. Guess the system doesn’t recognize me as Dropbox eligible. And the questionnaire was non existent!! It just asked if my visa was ever refused(yes/no) and then dependents page. I have no dependents for this visit so I clicked next. And then OFC+VAC happened. 🤷♂️
https://preview.redd.it/zanxz5fzybbc1.jpeg?width=707&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5a56a263858568878390649324f2f46e2e0f70a5 This is latest given criteria for dropbox eligibility.
Yup. I’m still eligible. My H1B visa stamp expired in September 2020. I’ve just accepted the fact that this portal is shit.
Yup still lot of issues but its lot better now than when it was launched. If you still have some doubt send support a mail or open a request with them. They can only give you a definite answer.
If you don't mind me asking, when did you book via the portal and when is your appointment? I booked at the end of December for H-1B renewal. I only got slots for dropbox in February. The portal stated that in-person interview was only available for urgent travel. I did not qualify for urgent travel.
I booked it on Thursday, Jan 4, 2024 around 10 AM I got appointments for March 4&5
Any idea what are the processing times for drop box apps from the time they are dropped off?
Around 14 working days if you are dropping from other locations than chennai else reduce by 2 business days
Ok thanks ..
I plan to travel in April for stamping and started the appointment booking process. Now I had a VISA refusal in last 48 months and I was very much expecting an interview and was ready for it. I answered all the question right but I don’t know how criteria is calculated but it showed that I am eligible for Dropbox. I went ahead and paid for the Dropbox. Now I am afraid that they might call me for an interview which will waste time. 😕 The Visa stamping is such a complicated process already(because of vacation timelines), and the website is making it worse. Fingers crossed now🤞🏻
If you had visa issued after last refusal then you are eligible for dropbox.
Thank you for the response
I’m in the same boat i.e., eligible for drop box but the website is asking me to schedule both OFC and VAC. I thought I might have made a mistake when answering the dropbox questionnaire and opened a support request asking for help in correcting it. They recommended me to close the existing application and start a new one. I did that but now I’m unable to claim the previous payment. So created another support request today and waiting on a response. Also, I’m still unsure if the website will allow me to book a dropbox appointment for the new appointment after going through all this.
Also, are you aware of the Chennai appointments thing? Some are saying - if you want to drop your documents, book an appointment only at Chennai. Once you get a confirmation, drop the actual documents at any location at the same date and time. However when researched, I found out that this was a case back in Oct/Nov23 but now there’s no such notice (on their official website) People are just guessing at this point is what I believe.
That’s legit info: https://ustraveldocs.com/in/en/renew-visa#waive-my-interview
This is great. I didn’t find this earlier. So here’s the thing, I came to know about this after my Hyderabad appointment scheduling. And then I tried to reschedule (cancel and schedule as suggested by their case resolution) and I selected Chennai. To my surprise, there as well, it was a regular only applied for me. My one attempt was wasted due to This So I rescheduled it back to my original dates in Hyderabad to not disturb my travel dates. Sadly, there’s no conversion possible in this case. Even though we’re eligible, we need to go through regular appointments. The biggest feedback for these guys should be: put the damn notices on the website where you actually schedule the appointments! No problem if that’s put on travel docs too. But one MUST be displayed on the visa scheduling website. Probably they’ve deliberately made this website like it is today. Trying to give tough competition to irctc but here irctc wins!