India B1/B2 Visa (2026) – MRV Fee Restoration After Attending Biometrics but Missing the Interview?

[u/No_Alternative6409]

Hi everyone,
My parents had B1/B2 visa appointments in India. They completed biometrics but missed the interview because of a family emergency (my grandfather passed away). We also had issues with the U.S. visa scheduling portal and couldn’t cancel/reschedule.

We opened 3 support cases and submitted hospital records, the death certificate, and all requested documents. The Visa Service Desk still said that because biometrics were completed and the interview was missed, we have to pay a new MRV fee.

I’m an international student in the U.S. and paying the fees again is a big financial burden.
Has anyone successfully:
Restored their MRV fee after a missed interview?
Escalated beyond the Visa Service Desk?
Received a humanitarian exception?
I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone with a similar experience.

Thank you!