B1/B2 Visa from Canada - when do you find out if you need an interview?

[OCanada!]

I previously had two F1 visas. Currently have a PR and want to apply for B1/B2. At what point do you find out whether you're eligible for interview waiver or not? Since the appointments are well into the next year, if I'm not eligible for dropbox I would rather not go through this process; curious if there's a way to find out eligibility before the payment

I set up my account here https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca and filled all the details (including my DS-160 form number). Right now at the screen where it's asking me to pay the $160USD to go to the next step which is Scheduling the appointment.

Screenshot of the page
https://ibb.co/gRHhrbv

Thanks all!

 

[owleroz]

I previously had two F1 visas. Currently have a PR and want to apply for B1/B2. At what point do you find out whether you're eligible for interview waiver or not? Since the appointments are well into the next year, if I'm not eligible for dropbox I would rather not go through this process; curious if there's a way to find out eligibility before the payment

I set up my account here https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca and filled all the details (including my DS-160 form number). Right now at the screen where it's asking me to pay the $160USD to go to the next step which is Scheduling the appointment.

Screenshot of the page
https://ibb.co/gRHhrbv

Thanks all!

I was in a similar situation - Canadian PR with an expired H1-B and first time applicant for B1/B2. I made the payment and was not given a dropbox or interview waiver option for my B1/B2. I think the interview waiver or dropbox is only applicable if you previously had the same visa type.

If anyone has a different experience, please share the details so that I can try requesting for a waiver instead of waiting until next year. Thanks.

 

[OCanada!]

Thanks for your response - based on your experience, it looks like stuck with long appointment wait times!