In a significant development for visa applicants in India, the United States Embassy has recently opened an astounding 2.5 lakh US visa appointment slots for the B1 and B2 visa categories, which require an interview.
This move comes as a welcome relief to thousands of individuals and families who had been enduring agonizingly long wait times for their US visa interviews.
As a result of this massive expansion in appointment slots, the wait times have dropped drastically, reaching a new low at just 37 days in New Delhi, marking a remarkable turnaround since the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
US Opens 2.5 Lakh Appointment Slots for B1/B2 Visas
In a commendable effort to address the lengthy wait times and facilitate smoother visa processing, the United States Embassy in India has now opened a remarkable 2.5 lakh visa appointment slots.
It was a busy weekend for our consular team! Over the weekend we opened over a quarter million nonimmigrant visa appointments!
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) November 1, 2023
Book yours today at https://t.co/SbQkOpI9vq #HereToServe
This massive increase in availability reflects the embassy’s commitment to improving the visa application process and reducing the inconvenience faced by applicants.
Current US Visa Wait Times in India
Following the opening of the additional appointment slots, the wait times for B1 and B2 visa interviews have seen a substantial reduction across several key cities in India:
- New Delhi: 37 calendar days
- Mumbai: 322 calendar days
- Kolkata: 126 calendar days
- Chennai: 341 calendar days
- Hyderabad: 511 calendar days
The most remarkable change is seen in New Delhi, where the wait time has plummeted to just 37 days, a stark contrast from the 542 days reported the week prior. Mumbai and Kolkata have also seen significant reductions, with applicants now waiting 322 and 126 days, respectively, compared to 596 and 539 days.
Reduced Wait Times for Visitor Visas and Student Visas
The wait times for visitor visas without interviews have dropped significantly. In Chennai, applicants wait just 6 days, while Delhi reports an 8-day wait. Mumbai takes 32 days, Kolkata offers a swift 6-day processing, and Hyderabad’s wait time has been reduced to 65 days.
The wait times for visitor visas without interviews have dropped significantly. In Chennai, applicants wait just 6 days, while Delhi reports an 8-day wait. Mumbai takes 32 days, Kolkata offers a swift 6-day processing, and Hyderabad’s wait time has been reduced to 65 days.
| U.S. Embassy | Visitor Visa Interview Required | Visitor Visa Interview Waiver | Student/Exchange Visitor Visas |
| New Delhi | 37 Calendar Days | 8 Calendar Days | 7 Calendar Days |
| Mumbai | 322 Calendar Days | 32 Calendar Days | 49 Calendar Days |
| Chennai | 341 Calendar Days | 6 Calendar Days | 25 Calendar Days |
| Hyderabad | 511 Calendar Days | 65 Calendar Days | 54 Calendar Days |
| Kolkata | 126 Calendar Days | 62 Calendar Days | 2 Calendar Days |
Wait Times Last Week
As of the week prior to this announcement, prospective travellers from India faced staggering wait times for their B1 and B2 visa interviews:
- New Delhi: 542 calendar days
- Mumbai: 596 calendar days
- Kolkata: 539 calendar days
- Chennai: 531 calendar days
- Hyderabad: 511 calendar days
These long wait times were a source of frustration and inconvenience for countless individuals and families looking to visit the United States for business, tourism, or to meet their loved ones. The extensive backlogs resulted from a combination of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted consular services and created a backlog of appointments.
Tips to Get US Visa Faster
Here are a few tips to get your US visa faster:
- Apply early. The earlier you apply, the more likely you are to get an appointment sooner.
- Submit a complete and accurate application. Make sure to answer all of the questions honestly and completely.
- Provide all of the required documentation. This includes your passport, a recent passport photo, and a DS-160 application form.
- Be prepared for your visa interview. Practice answering common interview questions and be prepared to discuss your travel plans and ties to your home country.
- Consider paying for premium processing. Premium processing can reduce the processing time for your visa application to 15 calendar days.
Conclusion
In summary, the United States Embassy’s decision to open 2.5 lakh additional visa appointment slots for B1 and B2 visa applicants in India is a welcome relief for those who have been enduring excessively long wait times.
With reduced wait times and improved access to visas, prospective travellers can now look forward to their American journeys with greater ease and convenience. This development is expected to have a positive impact on bilateral relations and further promote people-to-people ties between the two nations.
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