Key Takeaways

  • The H-1B visa stamp is mandatory for foreign professionals working in the U.S.
  • The dropbox program simplifies the process for H-1B visa holders by allowing them to renew their visa stamps without an in-person interview, speeding up processing times.
  • Eligibility criteria for H-1B dropbox include having a previously approved visa, no prior denials, and meeting specific passport and application requirements.
  • The H-1B dropbox process involves collecting necessary documents, completing Form DS-160, scheduling an appointment, and submitting materials for review.
  • Find an immigration lawyer on UpCounsel to help you navigate the H-1B dropbox process. 

An H-1B visa stamp is mandatory for working in the United States. It shows the U.S. government endorses a visa holder’s stay in the country. With the dropbox service, you may be able to obtain it without appearing in person. 

This article will discuss H-1B dropbox eligibility requirements and the steps involved in the H-1B visa dropbox process. 

What is the Dropbox Program for H-1B Visas?

The dropbox process for H-1B visa holders, also known as the Interview Waiver Program (IWP), makes getting an H-1B visa stamp easier. Please note, the USCIS refers to the dropbox as a lockbox. 

A recent change to the stamping process now allows some eligible applicants to renew their H-1B visa stamps through an H-1B dropbox rather than attending an in-person interview.  

For applicants, this means a quicker and simpler acquisition process. 

The process has become more manageable, and recent statistics paint a bright future for applicants, especially those in India. 

What is H-1B Visa Stamping?

H-1B visa stamping is mandatory for foreign professionals to legally work in the United States.  

After applicants successfully obtain H-1B visa status, they must also get a stamp on their passport. The H-1B visa stamp means the government endorses their work in the country. It is a crucial step that cannot be skipped. 

To get an H-1B stamp, applicants must submit an application, pay the submission fee, provide supporting documents, and attend an interview.  

This process can be stressful for newcomers, which is why many enlist the help of professional immigration lawyers. These lawyers can help them organize their paperwork and payments and assist them in preparing for the interview.

Eligibility Criteria for H-1B Dropbox

Visa H-1B dropbox eligibility requirements can vary based on age group. 

This list applies to applicants who have previously completed the H-1B visa stamping process and are seeking renewal. 

The following requirements apply to applicants whose H-1B visa was stamped after their 14th birthday. 

  1. The H-1B visa must be stamped after January 1, 2008
  2. The passport cannot contain “clearance received” or “department authorization”
  3. The passport has not been lost or stolen
  4. You have not been previously denied a visa (of any kind) in the past 

The criteria for those over the age of 80 is less strenuous. 

  • Applicants in this age group only have to meet one eligibility requirement: they must not have been denied a US visa in the past for any reason.  

The requirements for children under the age of 14 differ as well. 

How to Check Your Eligibility for H-1B Dropbox

You must meet the following criteria to qualify for dropbox. 

Receive a USCIS approval notice  The employer would apply for approval with the USCIS before the applicant gets an H-1B visa stamp.
Apply in your country of residence This means whatever country the foreign professional lives in at the time of application (i.e., the country of residence). 
Previous visa approval 

Dropbox is only available to applicants who have had a previous visa approved by the United States.  

The visa does not have to be an H-1B; for example, B1, B2, or F1 visas would satisfy this requirement. 
No previous denial

Applicants who have been denied a visa in the past for any reason are not eligible for dropbox.   

The United States may deny applicants for several reasons, including:  

  1. Not meeting academic standards or job requirements
  2. The employer or applicant does not meet the current visa status
  3. The applicant does not pay the visa fees
  4. The applicant does not provide additional evidence upon request
No annotations on a passport  Applicants with notes on their passports like “clearance received” or “department authorization” are not eligible for dropbox. 
Stolen, lost, or canceled passports Applicants who have had their passports stolen, lost, or canceled are not eligible for dropbox. 
Issue date Dropbox is only eligible for applicants whose passports were issued after January 1, 2008. 

H-1B Dropbox Process

To begin the dropbox process, you will need to collect certain documents. 

Here’s a checklist to help you ensure you have all the required documents:  

  1. Confirmation letter
  2. Copy of Form DS-160
  3. Copy of Passport
  4. Copy of photo
  5. Copy of previous U.S. visas
  6. All copies of the I-797 Approval Notice
  7. Employment letter

 

Steps to Book an H-1B Dropbox Appointment

The next steps in the H-1B dropbox process are as follows:

Step 1: Complete Form DS-160, Nonimmigrant U.S. Visa Application

Submit Form DS-160 online.  

After you submit the form, make sure to write down the confirmation number. This number will act as an Application ID used to book a dropbox stamp appointment. 
Step 2: Log in to the CGI Federal Atlas Website 

Create a profile on the CGI Federal Atlas Website. Select the country where you plan to get the H-1B visa stamp.  

It is most common to get a stamp in your home country. Alternatively, you can go to Canada or Mexico.  

However, some applicants have experienced complications, and these countries reserve the right to deny them. 

Visit USTravelDocs to see which U.S. consulates or embassies you can visit to complete this process. 
Step 3: Fill in the details 

It’s time to schedule a dropbox appointment.

During this stage, you’ll need to answer questions related to the visa, country of residence, personal details, and dependent information (if applicable).
Step 4: Check H-1B dropbox eligibility  This step involves reviewing the H-1B dropbox eligibility checklist included in this article.
Step 5: Select the document delivery location and pay the MRV fee ($185)

You can select pick-up or premium delivery options for your documents.  

As part of this step, you must pay the visa fee online or with a cash payment advice slip. 
Step 6: Book a dropbox appointment  Now, you can book an appointment to drop off all the required documents. 
Step 7: Print the H-1B dropbox appointment confirmation letter 

Print off the confirmation page and keep this document safe. It contains personal, appointment, and document delivery details and DS-160 information.  

It will also outline the dropbox location instructions. 

H-1B Dropbox Eligibility for Change of Employer

There is a misconception that foreign professionals are not eligible for dropbox because the sponsor company name on their passport is false.

This is incorrect because the H-1B dropbox eligibility change of employer requirements follows general criteria that do not include working with their original sponsor company.

Applicants will not be asked for previous employer information when filling out the visa information on the U.S. Visa CGI Federal website.  

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) only cares about the H-1B visa expiration date and the general criteria.  

To avoid mistakes in the change-of-employer process, speak with an experienced UpCounsel H-1B lawyer who will guide you through all the steps.  

You can also read more on the H-1B visa transfer process.

Conclusion: Speak with an Immigration Lawyer Near You

The H-1B visa and immigration process is notoriously challenging. Enlist the help of an immigration lawyer to guide you through it. Post a job on UpCounsel today to find a lawyer near you.  

UpCounsel’s immigration lawyers come from schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law. They have an average of 14 years of experience and work with or on behalf of companies like Google, Menlo Ventures, and Airbnb.

H-1B Dropbox FAQs

What Happens if Your H-1B Dropbox Stamping Isn’t Approved?

You cannot enter the United States if your H-1B stamp is not approved. 

The USCIS denial letter will state whether applicants can appeal this decision. However, this only occurs in rare cases.  

If the USCIS grants an appeal, foreign professionals must file within 30 days. When appealing, speak with an experienced and professional immigration lawyer to ensure the appeal is correct.  

If there’s no opportunity to appeal, applicants can reapply by having the employer file another Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker. 

What is the Approval Rate for H-1B Dropbox?

The 2023 dropbox approval rate was 97.8%. Rates vary each year, especially when there’s a change in administration. In the last two years, the denial rate has been very low. 

How Much Time Does Dropbox Take for H-1B?

H-1B dropbox processing times vary by facility. Most commonly, applicants can expect to hear a result within one day to six weeks. 

What Happens in an H-1B Dropbox Appointment?

You must submit all required H-1B visa dropbox documents and the confirmation letter at the dropbox appointment. Your documents will then be reviewed, and the consulate or embassy will contact you at a later date. 

Why is Dropbox Eligibility Being Extended?

Before the dropbox process, applicants had to attend an in-person interview to have their H-1B visa stamped. However, due to COVID-19, the United States government allows some eligible foreign professionals to waive the interview component.  

Previously, eligible applicants would renew their H-1B stamps within 12 months of the visa expiring. Applicants can now renew within 48 months. This change occurred because restrictions prevented facilities from working at total capacity.  

Low staffing has also made it challenging for applicants to get appointments. 

As a result, the government has made it easier for foreign professionals to renew their H-1B visa stamps within 48 months of expiry. This rule will be in place until further notice.