Up To 1000 Days Waiting Period For US Visa Interviews
Today’s blog brings you the latest update on the increase in waiting time for US visa interview appointments.
For first-time visitor visa B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) applications, the interview waiting time is continuing to increase up to nearly 1000 days, despite the median time having reduced to about two months worldwide.
In a media release, the US Department of State said that the median worldwide wait time for B1 and B2 visa interview calls is about two months, and applicants with urgent needs to travel, if they meet certain criteria may apply for an emergency appointment, which is usually available within days.
It is further mentioned on the website that the department is committed to keeping its progress and reducing wait time for visa interview appointments.
Countries like India have been affected even further with extended waiting times for interviews.
According to the website of the US Department of State, applicants have a waiting period
of 999 days in Mumbai, Hyderabad has 994 days, in Delhi 961, 948 days in Chennai, and in Kolkata 904. This shows that applicants of B1 and B2 visas from India may get an interview date someday in 2025.
The US Embassy said that because of fewer staff and disruptions in processing due to the pandemic, the demand for appointments is high in all visa categories and wait times may increase for most regular nonimmigrant visa appointments at the consulates in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata and at the US Embassy in New Delhi. The Embassy explained how the wait time got delayed because of the reduced staffing and other restrictions due to the pandemic.
This wait time is only bound to those applicants in India who are unable to qualify for the drop box application or interview waiver. Those who have business or tourist visas (B1 or B2), work visas (H1-B and L visas), other visas, exchange visitors and students are eligible for drop box. Dropbox facility is the procedure of US visa renewal without appearing in an interview.
In the middle of a possible delay in visa processing, the Department of State said that 94 percent of non-immigrant visas have been processed at the end of the fiscal year 2022. It also processed 130 percent of immigrant visas at the end of the fiscal year 2022 compared to the fiscal year 2019. It further stated that the US embassies worldwide continue to hire more staff abroad but have used different measures to work more while using fewer resources.
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