A senior American diplomat promised that the United States consulate in Hyderabad would soon have 55 visa windows and that consulate services would improve dramatically.
Jennifer Larson, a senior American diplomat who is now on her way to India to lead the Hyderabad USA Consulate as its Consul General, met with a group of prominent Indian Americans from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha.
Jennifer stated that she will work to improve visa services and strengthen the India-US relationship.
US Visa Wait Times
It is worth noting that the wait time for a US visa in India is at an all-time high, reaching 602 days for a visitor’s visa, 450 days for a student visa, and 392 days for all other nonimmigrant visas at the Hyderabad consulate.
| Nonimmigrant Visa Type | Appointment Wait Time |
| Visitor Visa | 602 Calendar Days |
| Student/Exchange Visitor Visas | 450 Calendar Days |
| All Other Nonimmigrant Visas | 392 Calendar Days |
The US Embassy in New Delhi recently commented on the lengthy wait for US visa appointments, stating that appointment demand is high across all visa categories, and that wait times for most routine nonimmigrant visa appointments have been increased due to reduced staffing and numerous pandemic-related disruptions to our operations since March 2020.
The opening of 55 new visa interview windows will undoubtedly reduce visa wait times at the US Consulate in Hyderabad.
Spoke in detail about her efforts to improve visa services, including having 55 windows for visa interviews, at a meet and greet luncheon hosted in her honour by Indian American entrepreneur and philanthropist Ravi Puli.
She answered questions about bilateral relations, immigration issues, and the longest wait times for visas. According to the organisers, she also mentioned the highest priority given to student visas, among other things.
Ravi Kota, Minister (Economic), Embassy of India, highlighted potential opportunities for strengthening economic relations between the United States and Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha in his remarks.
He thanked Puli for facilitating Larsen’s interaction with other Indian-origin American entrepreneurs who are equally interested in Hyderabad and the United States.
Kota also drew the attention of the Consul General-designate to the economic strengths of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Odisha.
“As Hyderabad consulate will be the largest consulate in Asia… will work towards creating more jobs in both countries and especially in Telugu states as the unemployment rate is very high although there is a high talent pool,” Puli said.
“Although we enjoy the highest standards of living in the US, we should not forget our roots, and give our best in empowering our people back home while we contribute to the country, we live in by being a part of several businesses, social nonprofits, among others,” he added.
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