US Visitor’s Visa Interview Waiting Time in India Decreases by 60%

The United States has made significant efforts to decrease the wait time for first-time visa applicants in India. According to Julie Stufft, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Visa Services, the wait time for US visitor’s visa interviews in India has decreased by 60 percent in the last couple of months. The US has taken several steps to reduce wait times, such as increasing the number of officials issuing visas and opening other diplomatic missions to process these applications.

Background

After the coronavirus-related travel restrictions were lifted, there was a major spike in visa applications for the US from India. However, concerns grew in India over the long waiting period for first-time visa applicants, especially for those applying under B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) categories. In October 2022, the waiting period for first-time B1/B2 visa applicants in India was close to 1,000 days. Currently, the waiting times in Mumbai (332 days) and Kolkata (357 days) have dropped below a year, but applicants opting for Chennai may still need to wait for almost two years, specifically 680 days, for their B1/B2 visa appointments.

Shortest Wait Time

S Embassy at New Delhi currently has the shortest wait time for tourist and business visa appointments, which is 247 days. Julie Stufft noted that London, Frankfurt, and Abu Dhabi have taken a lot of visa-seeking Indian citizens. These missions have been asked to take Indians as if they were from their own host country. For example, in places like Bangkok where there is no visa required for Indians, and it is a relatively short flight, Julie Stufft noted that many Indian citizens have sought visas there.

Efforts to Reduce Wait Times

The goal of the State Department is to issue 1 million visas this year, which would be higher than the pre-pandemic number. The department has increased the number of officers going to India, set up arrangements with other embassies in the world like Bangkok to take Indians who are seeking visas, and opened a new consulate in Hyderabad. Stufft noted that the State Department is focused on making sure that they can bring the wait time down in India.

Interview Waivers and Other Types of Visas

US recently expanded interview waivers for Indians, meaning that only some individuals need to go to the consulate for an interview. This has made it possible for people who don’t need an interview, those who have travelled to the US before, to get their visa in less than two weeks. The State Department is also working on other types of visas, including student visas.

Domestic Renewal of Visas

The US is planning to launch a pilot project on domestic renewal of visas. Under this project, Indians living in the United States will be able to get their visas renewed without leaving the US. This will have big benefits for Indians who are living and working in America.

The United States has made significant efforts to reduce wait times for first-time visa applicants in India. The State Department is working hard to bring down the wait time and has made several efforts to increase the number of officials issuing visas and open diplomatic missions to process these applications. The US is also planning to launch a pilot project on domestic renewal of visas, which will benefit Indians living and working in America.