US Immigration Attorneys Warn Indians With H-1B, F-1 Visa: 'Think Twice About Leaving US'

Last Updated:March 18, 2025, 07:45 IST

The US has recently revised the eligibility criteria for interview waiver appointments, also known as dropbox appointments. Prior to this, applicants were eligible for the dropbox facility if they had received a non-immigrant visa in any category (excluding B visitor visas) and applied within 48...Read More

US immigration officials have issued warning for Indians leaving country (Image: Getty)

Indians, including international students, green card holders, and H-1B visa holders, have been advised by United States immigration attorneys to avoid travelling outside the country. Although India is not on the US travel ban list, officials have cited heightened security, visa stamping delays, and instances of travellers being detained at US airports as reasons for the advisory, TOI reported.

Speaking to TOI about the situation, Kripa Upadhyay, a Seattle-based immigration attorney, mentioned that foreign nationals, especially those requiring renewal of H-1B or F-1 visa stamps, should reconsider leaving the US at this time.

“As heartless as this may seem, foreign nationals (especially those needing renewal of H-1B or F-1 visa stamps) really need to think twice about leaving the US right now," he told TOI.

Upadhyay explained that the US has recently updated the eligibility rules for interview waiver appointments, commonly known as dropbox appointments.

Previously, applicants could use the dropbox facility if they had been granted a non-immigrant visa in any category (excluding B visitor visas) and applied within 48 months of its expiry.

However, under the revised guidelines, the dropbox option is now limited to applicants renewing a visa in the same non-immigrant category, provided the previous visa expired within the last twelve months. This means that if an international student holding an F-1 visa now needs an H-1B visa, they must wait for an interview slot.

Similarly, H-1B visa holders applying for an extension must also attend an interview if their earlier visa was issued more than twelve months ago, the immigration attorney explained.

Commenting on the matter, Rajiv S. Khanna, managing attorney at Immigration.com, told TOI, “If travel is unavoidable, visa applicants and their employers should also try to have contingency plans in case of delayed stamping such as continuing work from their home country,"

Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

News world US Immigration Attorneys Warn Indians With H-1B, F-1 Visa: 'Think Twice About Leaving US'