Say Goodbye to Easy U.S. Visa Renewals: In-Person Interviews Return in 2025

Starting September 2, 2025, travelers from 57 countries will have to attend in-person interviews for U.S. visa renewals, ending the convenient 'drop-box' system. Here's how this shift might affect your future travel plans, from longer waits to tighter security.

U.S. Pulls the Plug on ‘Drop-Box’ Visa Renewals: What’s Changing?

If you were counting on a quick and easy U.S. visa renewal in 2025, there’s something you should know. Starting September 2, the U.S. State Department is stopping its popular ‘drop-box’ renewal option for applicants from 57 countries. That means: no more skipping the consulate visit — everyone will need to show up in person.

What Does This Mean for Travelers?

The old process allowed many people to simply mail in their application for a visa renewal, saving the hassle (and cost!) of a trip to the consulate. But with this change, here’s what travelers need to prepare for:

More Waiting: In-person interviews are likely to slow things down. Extra processing time could make spontaneous travel, school plans, or work trips harder to organize.
Bigger Bills: Think travel costs to the consulate, possible hotel stays, and maybe even lost wages for taking time off work.
Accessibility Matters: For those who live far from a U.S. consulate — or have mobility challenges — these in-person requirements can feel like a real obstacle.

Are There Any Silver Linings?

Security Gets a Boost: Officials say bringing everyone in for interviews will help strengthen security by offering a more thorough check of each applicant.
More Face Time with Consular Staff: With interviews back in play, consular officers might get a better sense of travelers’ intentions, which could lead to smoother processing for legitimate visitors.

Looking Ahead: Big Picture Impacts

This move is expected to ripple through the travel world. Some say it could make things tense between the U.S. and the affected countries, and there’s a chance it may cause a dip in tourism — especially for businesses relying on travelers from abroad.

Heads up! If you’re planning a U.S. trip from one of these countries, mark your calendar for September 2, 2025, and factor in extra time and effort for your next visa renewal. Being prepared could help you avoid costly travel delays.