Why the queue for US visa is longest in India | India News - Times of India (2024)

FAQs

Why are US visa wait times so long? ›

After several years of travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of applications for U.S. visitor visas has more than bounced back — swamping the consulate with a record number of requests.

Process improvements and investments in staffing have brought the appointment wait time for visitor visas down from an average of 1,000 days to only 250 days around the country. Wait times are minimal in all other categories.

Synopsis. The United States is reportedly working to further reduce wait times for visitor visas for Indians, with a decrease of 75% recorded last year. Rena Bitter, Assistant Secretary of the US Bureau of Consular Affairs, noted that the embassy in India processed 1.4 million visas last year.

The acceptance rate for US student visas in India soared to 95 per cent in 2023, indicating a highly successful year for Indian students aspiring to study in the United States. “Visitor visas (B1/B2) have rebounded to represent the second highest number of applications in the U.S. Mission's history – over 700,000.

If you wish to proceed with requesting an expedited appointment, then complete the Expedited Request Form in English or contact the call center to request assistance. Please be sure to note the type of urgency you believe qualifies you for an expedited appointment.

Qualifications for an Expedited Interview Appointment

You will need to provide proof of the need for an earlier appointment. In all cases: You must first submit the online visa application form (DS-160), pay the application fee, and schedule the first available interview appointment.

You may contact the official embassy or consulate website to verify available visa appointment dates. These websites are designed to provide accurate and up-to-date information for visa applicants. By following a few simple steps, you can find the available slots and secure an appointment that suits your schedule.

The estimated wait time to receive an interview appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate can change weekly and is based on actual incoming workload and staffing.

Myth: It is hard for H1 and L1 applicants to get visas in India. Fact: India is by far the single largest beneficiary of H1B and L1 visas. The U.S. embassy and consulates in India issued over 101,800 H1B visas in FY 2014, a nine percent increase from the previous fiscal year.

Is it tough to get U.S. visa from India? ›

It is not difficult to get a US student visa from India, but you must follow all student visa requirements for the USA from India and give yourself plenty of time to complete and submit your paperwork.

Traveling Outside the U.S. While Your Application Is Pending

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) considers leaving the country while your application is still under review as abandoning it, resulting in immediate denial. U.S. immigration can be complex and confusing.

General Information. The Consul General directs the activities of the United States Consulate General in Chennai. The U.S. Consulate in Chennai is one of the top visa adjudication posts in the world, and the number one in processing employment based visas.

In a milestone achievement, the US Mission to India has successfully processed over 1.2 million non-immigrant visas in 2023, marking an all-time record. The US Consulate General Mumbai, contributing significantly to this feat, has processed more than 400,000 visas, setting a new benchmark for efficient visa processing.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs, the U.S. Department of State (DHS) is working to reduce the wait time for visa appointments for Indians hoping to travel to the United States. The U.S. Embassy in India processed 1.4 million visas in 2023, with wait times decreasing for most visa categories by 75%.

Visa processing takes approximately 21 workdays from the date on which the application is received by the Embassy.

The average wait time for visitor visa appointments came down from 1,000 days to a much more manageable 250 days across India. This remarkable improvement not only eased the burden on applicants but also facilitated smoother and more efficient travel between the two countries.