US Unveils 250,000 Visa Slots in India- Delhi Wait Time Now a Month Post-Pandemic

The United States of America has taken a substantial measure to address the persistent issue of visa appointment wait times for Indian applicants, unveiling an additional 250,000 visa appointments over the weekend. This key step provides a welcome reprieve for Indian travellers and signals a noteworthy improvement in non-immigrant visa processing times.

Despite extensive efforts in the past year to lessen the escalating visa processing times, challenges persist in fully reinstating processing to pre-pandemic levels. Historically, applicants from Indian cities like Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad, seeking B1/B2 visas, endured wait times beyond 500 days.

The US Embassy in India accepted the accomplishment in a social media post, stating, "It was a bustling weekend for our consular team!" The wait period for visa interviews in New Delhi, which was an shocking 543 days the week before, has considerably reduced to just over a month due to this measure. While wait periods in Kolkata have presently dropped to 126 days, delays persist in Hyderabad, Chennai, and Mumbai visa processing.

Demand for US Visas in India

Data from the US Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration reveals that more than 150,000 Indian nationals travelled to the US by September 2023, highlighting the ongoing demand for US visas. The US Mission to India achieved a noteworthy milestone, handling over a million non-immigrant visa applications this year, marking a 20% increase from 2019 and emphasizing the continued growth of travel and trade between the two nations.

The US Embassy and Consulates in India unveiled a remarkable statistic, noting that over 1.2 million Indian nationals journeyed to the USA in the past year. This underscores the significant influence of Indian travellers on the global visa application landscape, with over 10% of all visa applications originating from India. Notably, 20% of these applications are earmarked for student visas, while the majority, comprising 65%, pertains to H&L work visas.

Understanding how to apply for a visa is crucial for anyone planning a trip to the US. Depending on the purpose of the visit, different non-immigrant visa categories, comprising, B, H-1B, H-1B1, H-4, J-1, and J-2, have separate application processes. Interview waivers may be available for some applicants, such as those with a formerly granted US visa of the same class in India, as well as minor applicants under 14 and elderly applicants over 80.

The B1 visa is for the people traveling to the US for business, while the B2 visa is for tourists, family visits, medical care seekers, and attendees of unpaid social gatherings. Both business and leisure travel to the US are permitted for holders of these visas, typically granted as a B1/B2 visa.

The decision to open an extra 250,000 visa appointments in India is a important measure in addressing long-standing visa processing delays, bringing hope to numerous Indian travellers patiently awaiting their appointments.

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To confirm your eligibility and apply for the most relevant overseas Visa in 2024, you may get in touch with Visas Avenue Migration Expert on Toll-Free No. 78-18-000-777 or you can send us an e-mail at info@visasavenue.com.

- Rajneesh Kumar