Applicants are encouraged by the U.S. Embassy to schedule their B-1/B-2 interviews from other countries to cut down the wait time significantly via the Third Country Route.
A recent announcement by the U.S. Embassy in India stated that Indian applicants would be able to schedule their visa appointments for B-1/B-2 travel visas at embassies and consulates in different countries.
Thailand is officially cited as the possible third country by the Indian embassy for Indian applicants. Moreover, the US Embassy in Bangkok has expanded the appointment capacity for Indians applying for B1/B2 visas. Compared to the wait time of over a year in some of the consulates in India, Bangkok has a wait time of about 30 days for visa appointments for first-time travellers.
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a backlog of B-1/B-2 visas. Consequently, the U.S. Embassies and consulates worldwide have recently launched new strategies, such as the Third Country Route, to cut down the massive backlog of B-1/B-2 visas and reduce the wait time for visa appointments.
However, nothing in the world can be without risk. The same goes for applicants applying for B-1/B-2 visas from a third country. The average denial rates for travel visa applicants applying from a third country tend to be higher. Therefore, reading the entire process thoroughly before taking this route is better.
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