
So you're considering a job at Dropbox and need to navigate the H1B application process. The company has a dedicated page for H1B petitions, which outlines the eligibility criteria and requirements.
Dropbox's H1B petition process typically begins in April and May, with the company filing petitions for employees who have been offered jobs in the US. The petitions are then reviewed by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to determine whether the employees meet the eligibility criteria.
To be eligible for an H1B visa, you'll need to have a bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field, as well as relevant work experience. Dropbox's H1B petitions are usually for positions in software engineering, product management, and design.
The H1B application process can be lengthy and complex, so it's essential to plan ahead and stay organized.
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H-1B Application Process
To apply for an H-1B visa dropbox, you'll need to fill out a Form DS-160, which is a non-immigrant US visa application form. This form requires a lot of information, including your present and previous H-1B sponsor employers, location of visa stamping, and more.
You'll need to create a profile on the CGI Federal website, providing basic information about yourself, and select the country where you want your visa stamping done. You can't select the country where you got your original H1B visa stamped.
To be eligible for the H-1B visa dropbox, you must have a valid passport, a previous visa that is either valid or expired within the last 12 months, a photocopy of the I-797 approval notice, and an employment verification letter.
Here are the essential documents required for the H-1B dropbox facility:
- Valid passport
- Dropbox confirmation appointment letter
- DS-160 CEAC confirmation page
- Passport-size photo as per US visa photo specifications
- The previous visa that is either valid or expired within the last 12 months
- Photocopy of the I-797 approval notice
- Employment verification letter
Remember to never share original documents except for the passport.
Requirements
To be eligible for H1B dropbox, you must have had H1B visa stamping done before and have a US visa foil in your passport of type H1B. This option is only possible for H1B visa renewals.
You should have an H1B visa stamp in your passport that was issued after January 1, 2008. Additionally, your H1B visa stamp should be issued after your 14th birthday.
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To be eligible, your H1B visa stamp in your passport should not be lost, stolen, canceled, or have CWOP written on the visa. There should also be no US visa refusals in your past.
Here are the essential documents you require for the H1B dropbox facility:
- Valid passport
- Dropbox confirmation appointment letter
- DS-160 CEAC confirmation page
- Passport-size photo as per US visa photo specifications
- The previous visa that is either valid or expired within the last 12 months
- Photocopy of the I-797 approval notice
- Employment verification letter
Note that you should never share original documents except for the passport, as you may not get the other documents back.
Check this out: List of Documents for H1b Dropbox
Application Steps
To apply for the H1B visa dropbox option, you'll need to follow these steps. First, fill out form DS-160, the Non-immigrant Visa Electronic Application, and print the confirmation page you receive at the end of the process.
Next, create a profile on the CGI Federal Website and complete the Questionnaire Wizard. You'll then receive a Dropbox Appointment confirmation, which you can use to book your appointment.
Here's a summary of the required documents for H1B Dropbox:
- DS-160 Confirmation Letter copy
- Dropbox Confirmation Notification
- Recently taken passport size photographs
- Original & Valid Passport
- Contact information of your managers at your current office in the U.S.
- Copy of I-797, H1-B Approval, if applicable
- Bank statements for the last 12 months
- Tax forms 1040 and W-2 were submitted while working in the U.S.
- One set of original supporting documentation with one photocopied set
- Children applying for the interview waiver should submit their passport bio-page and photocopies of their parent's valid visas
After submitting your application, a CGI officer will review your documents and forward them to the proper US Consulate or Embassy. The processing time may take up to three weeks, and you will be notified via email if any additional documents are required.
Applying for an Appointment
To apply for an appointment for the H1B Dropbox process, you'll need to complete Form DS-160. This form requires a lot of information from you, including your present H-1B sponsor employer, previous sponsoring employer, and location of visa stamping.
Once you've submitted the form, you'll receive a confirmation number that you'll need during the appointment booking process. You can then create a profile on the CGI Federal website to schedule your appointment.
To book your H1B Dropbox appointment, simply follow these steps:
- Complete Form DS-160 and print the confirmation page.
- Visit the CGI Federal website, register yourself, and schedule your appointment.
- Pay the H1B visa application fees, which will result in a submission letter containing the H1B Dropbox document checklist if you're qualified.
- Collect the required documents, including your passport, previous visa (if applicable), and photocopy of the I-797 approval notice.
- Deliver them to any one of the 11 service centers, keeping a second copy of all the documents.
- A CGI officer will review your documents and forward them to the proper US Consulate or Embassy.
Here's a summary of the documents you'll need to submit for your H1B Dropbox appointment:
Remember to never share original documents except for your passport. Always keep a second copy of all the documents you submit.
Check Wizard
Check Wizard is your go-to tool for streamlining the application process. It's essentially a digital concierge that helps you navigate the various stages of application.
The Check Wizard is designed to identify potential issues early on, allowing you to address them before moving forward. This can save you a significant amount of time and effort in the long run.

The tool will ask you a series of questions to determine which documents you need to submit. This is based on the specific requirements outlined in the application guidelines.
You can expect the Check Wizard to guide you through the application process step-by-step, ensuring that you don't miss any crucial details.
Document Checklist
When submitting your documents for H1B Dropbox, it's essential to have the right documents in order to avoid any delays or issues. You'll need a valid passport, which should include your previous US visa if you have one.
The DS-160 Confirmation Letter copy is also required, as well as the Dropbox Confirmation Notification. Make sure to bring recently taken passport size photographs.
Original and valid passport are required, and if you have an old or expired passport with an H1B visa stamped on it, you should submit that as well. You'll also need to provide contact information of your managers at your current office in the U.S.
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If you have a copy of I-797, H1-B Approval, bring it along, as well as bank statements for the last 12 months and tax forms 1040 and W-2 submitted while working in the U.S.
Here's a list of common documents required for H1B Dropbox:
- Valid passport
- DS-160 Confirmation Letter copy
- Dropbox Confirmation Notification
- Recently taken passport size photographs
- Original and valid passport
- Contact information of your managers at your current office in the U.S.
- Copy of I-797, H1-B Approval (if applicable)
- Bank statements for the last 12 months
- Tax forms 1040 and W-2 submitted while working in the U.S.
Additionally, you may need to provide a copy of your I-797 approval notice, employment verification letter, and a photocopy of your passport bio-page and parent's valid visas if you're applying for a child.
The US Embassy or Consulate will review your documents, and if any additional documents are required, you'll be notified via email. The processing time may take up to three weeks, so be prepared to remain without a passport for that period.
Special Cases
Many H1B applicants assume they're not eligible for dropbox submission after a change of employer, but they're often misguided by the employer name on their visa foil.
The employer name on the visa foil is only an annotation added for reference of the CBP officer and has nothing to do with dropbox stamping eligibility.
As long as you satisfy all the general eligibility criteria for H1B Visa Dropbox, you are eligible for H1B visa stamping using the Dropbox option, even with a change of employer.
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Change of Employer

If you've changed employers and are wondering if you're eligible for H1B visa stamping using the Dropbox option, the answer is yes. Many people assume they're not eligible because of the previous employer's name on their visa foil, but it's just an annotation for reference.
The annotation on your visa foil has nothing to do with Dropbox stamping eligibility. It's simply a note for the CBP officer.
You'll not be asked for your previous employer information or what your visa stamp annotation says when filling out the visa details on the US Visa CGI Federal Website. They only care about your visa expiration date and general criteria.
We've had users on our blog and social media channels who got stamping done after an H1B transfer, confirming that it's possible.
Not Approved Situation
If your H1B visa was not approved by the US Consulate for some reason with the dropbox option, you'll be notified that your visa was not approved.
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The visa status on the CEAC website will continue to show status as "Administrative Processing" or "Refused".
You'll be returned everything when you go to collect your documents and passport, and a 221(g) Administrative Processing slip will be issued with instructions on the next steps.
The slip may instruct you to appear in person on any day by visiting the consulate at a certain time, or it may tell you to wait as it needs more processing.
In some cases, the Consulate may contact you via email to let you know what's next.
You don't need to make any appointments; just take your passport and go to the Embassy on any day before 10 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 48 month rule for Dropbox?
The 48-month rule allows for interview waiver renewal in the same visa category within 48 months of the visa's expiry, excluding certain visa types. This rule simplifies the renewal process for eligible applicants.
How long is H-1B Dropbox available for?
The H-1B Dropbox process is available until June 30, 2024. This allows selected individuals to submit documents online and skip the in-person interview step.
Can H-1B Dropbox be denied?
No, having a previously approved H-1B visa does not guarantee Dropbox eligibility, as other visa types also qualify
Does H-1B Dropbox need an appointment?
To submit documents for the H-1B Dropbox, an appointment is required, even though the process itself is interview-free. Schedule your appointment to proceed with the document submission process.
How long does H-1B stamping Dropbox take?
H-1B stamping Dropbox processing times typically take 1-2 weeks. Check for updates on specific consulate wait times for the most accurate information.
Sources
- https://h1b.techfetch.com/h1b-dropbox-interview-waiver-guide/
- https://h1b.techfetch.com/h1b-dropbox-documents-required/
- https://redbus2us.com/visas/usa/renewal/h1b-dropbox/
- https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/h-1b-specialty-occupations/h-1b-electronic-registration-process
- https://imagility.co/blog/h1b-visa-dropbox-eligibility-everything-you-need-to-know/
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