Has Dropbox facility been discontinued?

[venky58]

H1-B / H-4 visa renewal via Dropbox on President's Day 2017

Hi everyone,

I just posted my experiences on the H1-B / H-4 visa renewal via Dropbox on President's Day 2017 here:

http://www.immihelp.com/experience/view-1-21-h1bvisa_h4visa.html#div_134002

I hope the information is helpful.

Here's wishing you all the very best!

Regards,

Venky

[Chamoli]

Hello!

I am continuing my thread from 10 days ago. I was very happy that Dropbox went without glitches as they accepted all my documents and the whole process barely took 10 minutes!
But the story wasn't done, as yet.
After wasting 10 crucial days of my trip, I got my passport back today with a white slip which is very ambiguous.
It says: I need fingerprints , interview and a new petition ! I have no idea what the last one means. It asks me to NOT book any appointment and go to the consulate any day before 10 AM. There are no instructions or details of what they want me to carry except the passport and that white slip.

If anyone has any insights on this, please let me know. I am perplexed and scared as I have been working in this company on this H1B for 2 years and have traveled twice before on my previous stamping (by old employer) which still was valid for another month.

Looking forward to your help.

Regards

Any update on your case. Hope everything went well!!

[whysoserious]

Dropbox Experience in Mumbai - Feb 2017

Hi guys,
I was closely following this thread for drop box cases coz of the confusion around it. Thought of posting my experience here:
Used the following site to track my status:

https://ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker/status.aspx

Monday 13th Feb, 2017 - Submitted my documents at the drop box facility in Mumbai (NO Status)
Friday 17th Feb, 2017 - Status changed to READY (this probably means they have received your file and working on your case)
Wednesday 22nd Feb, 2017 - Status still at READY
Friday 24th Feb, 2017 - Status updated to ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING
Monday 27th Feb, 2017 - Status updated to ISSUED (the passport was available for pick up by 3:30 pm)

Things to note:
- My case took an entire 2 weeks to get resolved (I was scheduled to travel on the 25th Feb, 2017 and I had to reschedule my flight)
- Make sure you take into account the consulate holiday calendar while planning your trip (In my case, 20th Feb was a holiday and the consulate was closed. I had not taken this into account and probably lost a day there)

https://in.usembassy.gov/holiday-calendar/

- The status change to ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING doesn't always mean a 221-G (unless they have contacted you by phone or email). Some blogs suggested that status will always change to ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING before changing to ISSUED)
- I don't know if its just the Mumbai consulate being overloaded or what, but if you have a drop box appointment in Mumbai, plan on staying for at least for 3 weeks just to be on the safer side and avoid hassle of rebooking

[Chamoli]

Hi guys,
I was closely following this thread for drop box cases coz of the confusion around it. Thought of posting my experience here:
Used the following site to track my status:

https://ceac.state.gov/ceacstattracker/status.aspx

Monday 13th Feb, 2017 - Submitted my documents at the drop box facility in Mumbai (NO Status)
Friday 17th Feb, 2017 - Status changed to READY (this probably means they have received your file and working on your case)
Wednesday 22nd Feb, 2017 - Status still at READY
Friday 24th Feb, 2017 - Status updated to ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING
Monday 27th Feb, 2017 - Status updated to ISSUED (the passport was available for pick up by 3:30 pm)

Things to note:
- My case took an entire 2 weeks to get resolved (I was scheduled to travel on the 25th Feb, 2017 and I had to reschedule my flight)
- Make sure you take into account the consulate holiday calendar while planning your trip (In my case, 20th Feb was a holiday and the consulate was closed. I had not taken this into account and probably lost a day there)

https://in.usembassy.gov/holiday-calendar/

- The status change to ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING doesn't always mean a 221-G (unless they have contacted you by phone or email). Some blogs suggested that status will always change to ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING before changing to ISSUED)
- I don't know if its just the Mumbai consulate being overloaded or what, but if you have a drop box appointment in Mumbai, plan on staying for at least for 3 weeks just to be on the safer side and avoid hassle of rebooking

Thanks for the update and good luck , safe travel

[Sling1601]

Dopbox facility in near future

Hi Guys, I wanted to know if Dropbox facility been discontinued or planning to get it discontinue in near future or not. I am planning to travel sometime in April / May 2017, I am on same category of H1B visa which got expired in September 2016. I am still with the same employer and got extension and approved 797.

Will dropbox facility be available and am I eligible to receive?

[r0r2671]

H1B Dropbox Chennai Feb 22 2017

I've posted my experience at

http://www.immihelp.com/experience/134694-H1B-DropBox-Chennai-Feb-22-2017.html

Hope this helps.

[Chamoli]

I've posted my experience at

http://www.immihelp.com/experience/134694-H1B-DropBox-Chennai-Feb-22-2017.html

Hope this helps.

Thanks for Sharing your experience. One question, Did you change your employer or you are with same employer?

[r0r2671]

Thanks for Sharing your experience. One question, Did you change your employer or you are with same employer?

I changed employers. The existing VISA was with my old employer. This stamping was for my current employer.

[Chamoli]

I changed employers. The existing VISA was with my old employer. This stamping was for my current employer.

Thanks For Information..

[parngng]

Going for Dropdbox in March 3rd week - Mumbai

Me and My spouse will be dropping our passport and documents for DropBox in March 3rd Week. Will share updates once done.

[tushar_23]

Is dropbox is going to be close?

Hi All,

As per new executive order, I can see in section-9 it clearly mentioned that it will stop Visa Interview Waiver Program from march 16th. is this true? will drop box facility also going to be stop? I am planing travel to India in April and eligble for Dropbox stamping.dont know what to do now. below is section 9 from new executive order from 6th march 2017.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/03/06/executive-order-protecting-nation-foreign-terrorist-entry-united-states

Sec. 9. Visa Interview Security. (a) The Secretary of State shall immediately suspend the Visa Interview Waiver Program and ensure compliance with section 222 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1202, which requires that all individuals seeking a nonimmigrant visa undergo an in-person interview, subject to specific statutory exceptions. This suspension shall not apply to any foreign national traveling on a diplomatic or diplomatic-type visa, North Atlantic Treaty Organization visa, C-2 visa for travel to the United Nations, or G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-4 visa; traveling for purposes related to an international organization designated under the IOIA; or traveling for purposes of conducting meetings or business with the United States Government.

[kartzol]

Got Dropbox Confirmation Letter last night for April first week.

Hi All,

As per new executive order, I can see in section-9 it clearly mentioned that it will stop Visa Interview Waiver Program from march 16th. is this true? will drop box facility also going to be stop? I am planing travel to India in April and eligble for Dropbox stamping.dont know what to do now. below is section 9 from new executive order from 6th march 2017.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/03/06/executive-order-protecting-nation-foreign-terrorist-entry-united-states

Sec. 9. Visa Interview Security. (a) The Secretary of State shall immediately suspend the Visa Interview Waiver Program and ensure compliance with section 222 of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1202, which requires that all individuals seeking a nonimmigrant visa undergo an in-person interview, subject to specific statutory exceptions. This suspension shall not apply to any foreign national traveling on a diplomatic or diplomatic-type visa, North Atlantic Treaty Organization visa, C-2 visa for travel to the United Nations, or G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-4 visa; traveling for purposes related to an international organization designated under the IOIA; or traveling for purposes of conducting meetings or business with the United States Government.

Got Dropbox Confirmation Letter last night 06-Mar & I plan to visit April first week. If this is implemented, looks like I may have to go for an interview.

[edge1986]

Got Dropbox Confirmation Letter last night 06-Mar & I plan to visit April first week. If this is implemented, looks like I may have to go for an interview.

How and from where did you get your Dropbox confirmation letter.I also have to visit New Delhi in April and I am planning to go for Dropbox in first week of April. I am also not sure what to do. But, in previous executive order also it was stated that they are suspending the Visa Interview Waiver Program and many people got their passport stamped through Dropbox after that. You can refer initial post of this thread.

Please keep us posted.

[thisissparta]

Hi Guys,

I submitted my docs at the dropbox facility on March 1st and Got the Visa issued on March 6th. This was for Visa Center at Mumbai.
I also inquired about the availability of dropbox facilities in future and i got the same standard reply that as of now they have received no instructions to halt the facility as of now.

Hope this information helps..

[vishalj]

Hi Guys,

I submitted my docs at the dropbox facility on March 1st and Got the Visa issued on March 6th. This was for Visa Center at Mumbai.
I also inquired about the availability of dropbox facilities in future and i got the same standard reply that as of now they have received no instructions to halt the facility as of now.

Hope this information helps..

Interesting, I submitted my docs at Mumbai VFS on Feb 28th, and my status is still stuck at administrative processing with two update dates, 5th march and 8th march. Passport tracker says still with us embassy.