The US embassy has announced that it will allow Indians to apply at some of its embassies or consulates. The main intent behind this is to deal with the constantly increasing visa applications in India.
US Embassy Allowing Indians To Apply At Embassies
The US embassy is allowing Indians in need of business or tourist visas to apply at some of its embassies or consulates abroad in an effort to reduce the steadily growing backlog of visa applications in India.
For instance, Indian nationals can schedule an appointment for a B1 (business) or B2 (travel) visa at its embassy in Bangkok, Thailand.
As per a latest tweet, “Do you have upcoming international travel? If so, you may be able to get a visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your destination. For example, @USEmbassyBKK has opened B1/B2 appointment capacity for Indians who will be in Thailand in the coming months.”
Three Years’ Waiting Time for US Visa
The wait time for B1/B2 visa appointments for Indians reached an unprecedented three years in October due to an increase in applications after Covid’s first two years and a decrease in staff at its embassies and consulates during the pandemic period.
The situation has slightly improved over the past few months, but the typical waiting period is still a startling 400 days.
The US embassies in India granted 2,50,000 more visa appointments in January. On January 21, “special Saturday interview days” were also held at the consulates in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad as well as the embassy in Delhi.
According to Julie Stufft, the deputy assistant secretary for visa services in India, every effort is being made to shorten the wait time.
To assist its staff, several consular officers who weren’t stationed in India permanently were being transferred to its various missions there. We are investing a significant amount of resources to reduce this wait time, she claimed.
The 120 calendar day wait time for all visa categories is Stufft’s target year 2023.
On February 2, the US embassy advised Indians seeking to renew their visas to submit their applications via Dropbox. Indian students will apply for a record number of visas to the US in 2023, according to John Ballard, the consular chief at the US Consulate General in Mumbai.
