The US has recently introduced new initiatives to reduce delays in visa processing.
New Delhi:
The appointment waiting period for US visas in most of India is still over 500 days, despite efforts to reduce the backlog, the US Embassy in India said today, adding that Indians traveling abroad should stay at the US embassy or consulate. Can get visa appointment. their destination. Citing the example of Thailand, he said the country has placement potential for B1 and B2 visas (travel and business).
“Do you have an upcoming international trip? If so, you may be able to get a visa appointment at the US Embassy or Consulate at your destination. For example, @USEmbassyBKK posted a B1/B2 visa for Indians living in Thailand Hiring capacity has been opened in the coming months,” tweeted the US Embassy, India.
Do you have an upcoming international trip? If so, you may be able to get a visa appointment at the US Embassy or Consulate in your destination. For example, @USEmbassyBKK B1/B2 placement capacity has been opened for Indians living in Thailand in the coming months. pic.twitter.com/tjunlBqeYu
– US Embassy India (@USAndIndia) February 3, 2023
To reduce delays in visa processing, the US recently launched new initiatives, including scheduling special interviews for first-time applicants and increasing the number of consular staff. As part of a multi-pronged approach to reduce the visa backlog, the US Embassy in Delhi and consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad also held “Special Saturday Interview Days” on January 21.
The US Department of State has also implemented remote processing of interview waiver cases for applicants with previous US visas.
The US Mission in India released more than 250,000 additional B1/B2 appointments two weeks ago.
A senior US visa official recently told news agency PTI that the US is “putting every ounce of its energy” to end long visa wait times in India, including sending a cadre of consular officers to the country and sending its other Including opening of foreign embassies. as far away as Germany and Thailand for Indian visa applicants.
India was one of the very few countries that saw a big jump in applications for US visas after travel restrictions related to the coronavirus were lifted.
Concerns are growing in India about long waiting periods for first-time visa applicants, especially those applying under the B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) categories. For the first time in India, the waiting period for B1/B2 visa applicants was close to three years in October last year.
featured video of the day
Frozen waterfall in Jammu and Kashmir’s Gulmarg leaves tourists in awe