14 May 2025
Key Visa Processing Changes in India
The U.S. Mission to India has realigned its operations to streamline nonimmigrant visa processing. This move is especially relevant for individuals applying for employment-based visas, visitor visas, and interview waiver (drop box) options.
1. First-Time H & L Visa Interviews: Now in Hyderabad
If you are a first-time applicant for an H or L visa (including H-1B or L-1), your visa interview will now most likely be scheduled in Hyderabad.
2. Blanket L Visas: Processed in Chennai
Blanket L applicants will now be processed exclusively in Chennai, regardless of where you reside in India.
3. B1/B2 Interview Waiver (Drop Box) Cases: Centralized in New Delhi
For travelers using the drop box option for visitor visas (B1/B2), application review has been centralized in New Delhi.
4. H & L Interview Waiver (Drop Box) Cases: Centralized in Chennai
If you’re eligible for the interview waiver and applying for H or L visa renewal, your documents will be processed in Chennai.
Document Submission Options
Applicants can submit documents free of charge at any Visa Application Center (VAC) in:
- Chennai
- Hyderabad
- Kolkata
- Mumbai
- New Delhi
Alternatively, for added convenience, documents can also be submitted at drop-off centers in other cities like Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Cochin, Jalandhar, or Pune for a nominal fee of ₹1,200 per application.
⚠️ Important Reminder: In-Person Interviews May Still Be Required
Even if you qualify for the drop box option, you may still be called for an in-person interview depending on your case specifics. Make sure to monitor your application status regularly.
VKM Law Group’s Take: What This Means for You
These changes mark a critical shift in how the U.S. is addressing visa processing capacity in India. At VKM Law Group, we help clients understand how policy shifts like these could impact their immigration journey to the United States.
If you are applying for an H, L, or B visa—or sponsoring an employee—we recommend scheduling a consultation to assess how these centralized changes may affect your timeline and application process.
Need Help With Your U.S. Visa Application? Contact VKM Law Group—your trusted immigration attorney in New Jersey—to get tailored guidance on your H, L, or B visa application process.