Important Update for US Visa Applicants: Fee Extensions Expiring Sept 30

In a recent official tweet from the US Embassy in India, a crucial piece of information was shared that could affect US visa applicants who paid their visa application fee before October 1, 2022.

This announcement serves as a reminder to all prospective travellers to ensure they don’t end up paying their visa application fees again due to expiration.

It is important to note that US Visa applicants typically have 365 days from the date of payment to schedule an appointment before the payment expires. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some extensions were granted.

US Visa Application Fee Extensions Expiring September 30

These extensions are now expiring, and visa applicants who paid their fee before October 1, 2022, must schedule an interview (or submit their interview waiver application, if they are eligible) before September 30, 2023.

1. Check Your Receipt Date

The US Embassy in India has issued a significant reminder to visa applicants regarding the expiration of visa application fees. If you paid your visa application fee before October 1, 2022, it is essential to check your receipt’s date and take action accordingly.

2. Act Now: Schedule Your Interview

Typically, visa applicants have 365 days from the date of payment to schedule an appointment for their visa interview before the payment expires. While certain extensions were granted during the COVID-19 pandemic, these extensions will soon come to an end on September 30, 2023.

Therefore, if you fall into the category of applicants who paid their fee prior to October 1, 2022, you must schedule an interview or submit your interview waiver application, if eligible, before September 30, 2023.

3. Avoid Fee Repayment

Failure to schedule an interview or submit your interview waiver application before the deadline of September 30, 2023, may result in having to pay the visa application fee once again. To prevent this inconvenience and extra expense, it is crucial to act promptly and schedule your interview or submit your waiver application within the specified timeframe.

4. Important Clarification

It’s important to note that the interview itself does NOT need to take place before September 30, 2023. However, you must schedule an appointment in the system, even if it is for a future date.

This means that while you can secure an appointment for months into the future, it must be scheduled within the system before the September 30, 2023 deadline to avoid fee repayment.

How to schedule a visa interview

To schedule a visa interview, applicants must first create an account on the US Visa Information and Appointment System (USVIAS) website. Once they have created an account, they can log in and select the type of visa they are applying for. They will then be able to select an appointment date and time.

Conclusion

For US visa applicants who paid their visa application fee before October 1, 2022, this announcement by the US Embassy in India serves as a crucial reminder to take action promptly. Missing the September 30, 2023 deadline could result in the necessity of paying the fee once more.

To avoid any inconvenience or additional expenses, visa applicants are urged to review their receipts, schedule an interview, or submit an interview waiver application, if eligible, as soon as possible. Ensuring compliance with this important deadline will help streamline the visa application process and facilitate hassle-free travel to the United States.

For more information and assistance, applicants are encouraged to visit the official website of the US Embassy in India or contact the embassy directly for guidance on their specific visa application requirements.