Short answer
Most H1B applicants in India now need a regular in-person interview slot, because interview waivers (dropbox) were narrowed from 2 September 2025. H1B slots appear irregularly at Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad. Book in the official portal, and use a slot tracker such as SlotWatch to know when openings appear.
Regular slots vs dropbox
"Regular" slots are in-person consular interviews, usually with a separate OFC biometrics visit first. Dropbox (interview waiver) skips the interview, but few H1B applicants still qualify after the 2025 changes. The portal tells you which your case needs.
Where to see H1B slot availability
Real dates are visible only in your portal account after paying the fee. SlotWatch's H1B page and live feed (filter: H1B) show openings recently seen by AppointVisa's appointment monitoring, with the earliest date at each post and when each opening was seen.
Set a date window that matches your travel, so you only see slots you can actually take.
Booking an H1B slot
Have your DS-160, petition approval (I-797) and passport ready before you look, so you can book within minutes when a date appears. Choose any post you can reach, and keep the one-free-reschedule rule in mind before moving a booking.
If you'd rather not watch for slots yourself, AppointVisa's concierge team can book on the official portal for you.
H1B slot news
Since late 2025, H1B appointments in India have seen cancellations and long reschedules, and some H and L cases have been directed to particular posts. Check notices on the US Embassy India website before you book flights, and leave slack in your plans.
Common questions
- Are H1B visa slots available in India?
- Slots open irregularly at all five posts. SlotWatch's H1B page shows the openings recently seen, and the official portal shows what you can book right now.
- What are H1B regular slots?
- Regular slots are in-person consular interview appointments, as opposed to dropbox (interview waiver). Most H1B applicants now need a regular slot.
- Is there an H1B slot tracker?
- Yes. SlotWatch tracks recently seen H1B openings at each Indian post and can send Telegram alerts for the posts and dates you choose.
Official sources
- US Embassy & Consulates in India: Visas
- travel.state.gov: US Visas
- US Visa Scheduling (official appointment portal for India)
This guide is general information from AppointVisa, an independent private service, not legal advice or official government guidance.
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