US launches more steps to cut wait time for visa
1 year, 11 months ago

US launches more steps to cut wait time for visa

Hindustan Times  

The US has launched a multi-pronged initiative, including scheduling special visa interviews on Saturdays and deploying dozens of temporary staffers, to address the backlog in visa processing due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The US expects applications for all types of visas in India to increase to about 100,000 a month – or about 1.2 million annually – in 2023, making India the second largest country for visa operations after China. The first in a series of special Saturday interview days, part of a larger effort to reduce wait times for first-time visa applicants, was organised on January 21 by the US embassy in New Delhi and the consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad. After issuing more than 82,000 student visas for India in 2022, the focus shifted to reducing the wait times for non-immigrant work visas such as the H and L categories, including the coveted H-1B visas, B-1 business visa, B-2 tourism visa, and visas for crews of shipping companies and airlines.

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History of this topic

New US visa appointment rules to cut wait time, bring relief for Indians in 2025
6 days, 8 hours ago

New US visa appointment rules to cut wait time, bring relief for Indians in 2025

India Today  

The New Year will bring relief for Indians seeking to work and travel in the US. Starting January 1, 2025, the US Embassy in India will introduce new regulations for scheduling and rescheduling non-immigrant visa appointments to streamline the process and reduce wait times. This announcement comes just a day after the Department of Homeland Security revealed new rules to …

’Super Saturday’ visa initiative: US to reduce wait times on December 7 in THESE cities – Here’s what you need to know
2 weeks, 4 days ago

’Super Saturday’ visa initiative: US to reduce wait times on December 7 in THESE cities – Here’s what you need to know

Live Mint  

The United States Embassy in New Delhi and Consulates in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad is opening consular operations today, December 7, to accommodate applicants requiring in-person visa interviews. In a notification by the US Embassy, it said, “ This fourth “Super Saturday” is an innovative way to keep pace with the growing demand for travel between the United States and …

US Consulates to Hold ‘Super Saturday’ Visa Interviews
2 weeks, 4 days ago

US Consulates to Hold ‘Super Saturday’ Visa Interviews

Deccan Chronicle  

The ‘Super Saturday’ initiative aims to maximise resources and conduct the highest number of visa interviews in a single day.This marks the fourth “Super Saturday” since the US Mission in India introduced the feature in January last as part of efforts to reduce wait times for first-time visa applicants. The programme is part of a broader strategy to meet the …

'I want you to bring down visa wait time in India', US Envoy recalls Biden's order
8 months, 3 weeks ago

'I want you to bring down visa wait time in India', US Envoy recalls Biden's order

Hindustan Times  

The US envoy to India, Eric Garcetti, revealed that President Joe Biden directed him to reduce visa wait times in India, marking the first time an ambassador has been given such an instruction in any country. Speaking to ANI, Garcetti said, "This is a legislative issue Congress needs to tackle, whether it's the number of legal immigrants, green cards, or …

US envoy joins consular team to interview Indian visa applicants
9 months, 1 week ago

US envoy joins consular team to interview Indian visa applicants

Firstpost  

He further stressed that the US Mission in India has increased staffing and harnessed technological innovations to meet the unprecedented demand and process more visas than ever before The US envoy arrived to support the embassy team for the first of four "Super Saturday" visa processing events held by the US Embassy in New Delhi in 2024 Image Courtesy AP …

US working to reduce visitor visa wait time for Indians after decrease of 75%
10 months ago

US working to reduce visitor visa wait time for Indians after decrease of 75%

Hindustan Times  

The United States is working towards further reducing the wait time for visitor visas for Indians following a decrease of 75 per cent last year, according to US Bureau of Consular Affairs Assistant Secretary Rena Bitter. US working to reduce visitor visa wait time for Indians after decrease of 75% In an interview with PTI, Bitter noted that today more …

US working to reduce visitor visa wait time for Indians: Top official
10 months ago

US working to reduce visitor visa wait time for Indians: Top official

India Today  

The United States is working towards further reducing the wait time for visitor visas for Indians following a decrease of 75 per cent last year, according to US Bureau of Consular Affairs Assistant Secretary Rena Bitter. “Last year, the Embassy in India processed 1.4 million visas, explosion of an incredible numberâ€æin every category there is no wait time at all …

US launches fresh 5-week selection criteria for H-1B visa
10 months, 3 weeks ago

US launches fresh 5-week selection criteria for H-1B visa

India Today  

The US has formally launched a pilot programme to renew the much sought-after H-1B foreign work visas domestically, a move that is likely to benefit thousands of Indian tech professionals. In a statement on Monday, the State Department said the pilot programme will accept applications from January 29, 2024, through April 1, 2024, or when all application slots are filled, …

US issued record 140K visas to Indian students last year: Official
1 year ago

US issued record 140K visas to Indian students last year: Official

The Hindu  

As part of the Biden administration's endeavour to promote people-to-people ties with India, the US issued more than 1,40,000 visas to Indian students last year and is taking several steps to reduce visa appointment wait period. In an interview to PTI, Julie Stufft, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Visa Services, said US missions in India worked six, seven days …

US issued record-breaking 1,40,000 visas to Indian students last year: Official
1 year ago

US issued record-breaking 1,40,000 visas to Indian students last year: Official

Hindustan Times  

As part of the Biden administration's endeavour to promote people-to-people ties with India, the US issued more than 1,40,000 visas to Indian students last year and is taking several steps to reduce visa appointment wait period. Last year, the US issued a record over 1,40,000 visas to Indian students, she said. The US, Stufft said, is working on taking several …

Indians now represent over 10% of US visa applicants with one million non-immigrant visas processed in 2023
1 year, 2 months ago

Indians now represent over 10% of US visa applicants with one million non-immigrant visas processed in 2023

Hindustan Times  

The US Mission in India on Thursday surpassed its goal of processing one million non-immigrant visa applications this year and said that Indians now represent over 10 per cent of all visa applicants worldwide, including 20 per cent of all student visa applicants and 65 per cent of all H&L-category visa applicants. The number of visa applications processed in India …

US Mission to India processes 1 million visas, now Indians made over 1 in 10 visa applications worldwide
1 year, 2 months ago

US Mission to India processes 1 million visas, now Indians made over 1 in 10 visa applications worldwide

India TV News  

The US Mission to India has processed a record number of nonimmigrant visa applications until September 28, Thursday-- almost 20% more applications than in pre-pandemic 2019. PM Modi's state visit to the US impact on visa Besides, the statement said that the US Mission has also implemented strategies to increase efficiency, extending interview waiver eligibility to new visa categories and …

Green Card barriers need urgent attention
1 year, 4 months ago

Green Card barriers need urgent attention

Hindustan Times  

The relationship between the United States and India is today on a strong footing, but long before the two warmed up to each other in the manner that they have, a robust Indian diaspora in the US formed a people-to-people bridge between the two great democracies. The instrumental role played by Indian-Americans – now comprising 2.7 million people with significant …

US visa interview wait time cut by 50% in India
1 year, 5 months ago

US visa interview wait time cut by 50% in India

Live Mint  

The wait time for first-time tourist visa interviews in the United States has been reduced by over 50%, United States Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said on Wednesday. "Our investments have brought real results, and we've seen wait times for first-time tourist visa interviews fall by more than 50 per cent," he added. Garcetti stressed the importance of expanding visa …

US making 'huge push' to process visas in India
1 year, 6 months ago

US making 'huge push' to process visas in India

Hindustan Times  

The consular teams of the US have been making a "huge push" to process as many visa applications as possible in India, US Department of State official spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a press briefing on Thursday. Asked about what India can expect from the US with regard to diplomacy, immigration and visa issues during PM Narendra Modi's upcoming visit, …

We will adjudicate 1 million visas in India this year, says U.S. official
1 year, 6 months ago

We will adjudicate 1 million visas in India this year, says U.S. official

The Hindu  

Describing India as an important partner with whom the United States enjoyed strong people-to-people ties, top U.S. lawmakers have urged the Biden administration to address the visa waiting-period issue in the country on a priority basis. Senator Bob Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; and Congressman Michael Waltz, Co-Chair of the House India Caucus, during two separate Congressional …

Why visa wait time for Indians is 600 days? US says ‘need to fix the delay or …’
1 year, 6 months ago

Why visa wait time for Indians is 600 days? US says ‘need to fix the delay or …’

Live Mint  

Top US lawmakers have urged the Biden administration to address the visa wait time issue for Indian applicants as a priority, highlighting the significant role of the people-to-people relationship in bilateral ties. Senator Bob Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Congressman Michael Waltz, Co-Chair of the House India Caucus, further questioned why people in India were facing …

US mission gears up for record Indian student visa applications
1 year, 6 months ago

US mission gears up for record Indian student visa applications

Hindustan Times  

The US mission in India is gearing up for a record number of student visa applications in 2023, with consular officers from New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai interviewing early 3,500 applicants on Wednesday. In fact, one out of every five student visas was issued in India last year,” said Brendan Mullarkey, the acting minister counsellor for consular affairs …

US To Open Interview Schedule For Indian Students In June Says John Ballard, US Consular Chief
1 year, 7 months ago

US To Open Interview Schedule For Indian Students In June Says John Ballard, US Consular Chief

News 18  

The United States Mission in India will open up student visa interview slots for Indian Students by next month said John Ballard, Consular Chief, U.S. Consulate General, Mumbai. Speaking at a media roundtable on US Mission to India’s consular operations, John Ballard said “We will be officially opening up most of our study visa appointments from June 1 till the …

Skip the queue! US Embassy in India expands Visa interview waiver process for these travellers looking for renewal
1 year, 7 months ago

Skip the queue! US Embassy in India expands Visa interview waiver process for these travellers looking for renewal

Hindustan Times  

Good news for travelers looking to renew their US visa! The US Embassy in India has announced that those with "clearance received" or "department authorization" on their previous visas can now use the interview waiver process to apply for a new visa. The US Embassy in India has announced that those with 'clearance received' or 'department authorization' on their previous …

US takes massive step for business, tourist visa holders! Allows job applications, interviews | Details
1 year, 9 months ago

US takes massive step for business, tourist visa holders! Allows job applications, interviews | Details

India TV News  

According to federal agency, US Citizenship and Immigration Services an individual who is travelling to the United States on a business or tourist visa i.e. When a nonimmigrant worker's employment is terminated, either voluntarily or involuntarily, they typically may take one of the several actions, if eligible, to remain in a period of authorised stay in the United States. "If …

36% more visas processed across India after COVID-19 pandemic: U.S. officials
1 year, 10 months ago

36% more visas processed across India after COVID-19 pandemic: U.S. officials

The Hindu  

India is the main priority for the United States, U.S. visa officials said adding that there has been around 36% rise in visa processing across the country after the COVID-19 pandemic. While addressing a presser organised by Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies on February 21, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Visa Services in the Bureau of Consular Affairs Julie …

Update: Now, US visa applications can be accepted outside India. Details here
1 year, 10 months ago

Update: Now, US visa applications can be accepted outside India. Details here

Hindustan Times  

With many travellers still years behind on getting their US visa appointment, the United States is making every effort to shorten this duration. For example, @USEmbassyBKK has opened B1/B2 appointment capacity for Indians who will be in Thailand in the coming months.” Meanwhile, the embassy has also announced that applications to renew US visas can be submitted via file-hosting service …

US visa applications can now be submitted via Dropbox. Details here
1 year, 10 months ago

US visa applications can now be submitted via Dropbox. Details here

Hindustan Times  

Applications to renew United States visas can now be submitted via Dropbox, news agency PTI said citing information from the US embassy. The US embassy and its consulates in India are prepping to receive a fresh record number of visa applications from students - after adjudicating on over 1.25 lakh in 2022 - PTI said citing John Ballard, the Consular …

U.S. Embassy says visa renewal application can be submitted through dropbox
1 year, 10 months ago

U.S. Embassy says visa renewal application can be submitted through dropbox

The Hindu  

People seeking renewal of U.S. visa can now submit their applications through dropbox, the U.S. Embassy has said while clarifying that such requests would not be entertained through email. According to John Ballard, the consular chief at the U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai, the U.S. embassy and consulates in India have prepared to receive a record number of visas from …

US Embassy, Consulates in India Plan to Process 'record' Number of Visas in 2023: Official
1 year, 10 months ago

US Embassy, Consulates in India Plan to Process 'record' Number of Visas in 2023: Official

News 18  

The US embassy and its consulates in India plan to process a “record” number of visas for Indians this year, Mumbai Consular Chief John Ballard said, in view of delays and a backlog in almost every visa category. “Last year, we adjudicated over 8,00,000 total visa adjudications and we are almost up to our pre-pandemic levels, which we expect to …

US embassy, consulates in India plan to process record number of visas in 2023
1 year, 10 months ago

US embassy, consulates in India plan to process record number of visas in 2023

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: The US embassy and its consulates in India plan to process a "record" number of visas for Indians this year, Mumbai Consular Chief John Ballard said, in view of delays and a backlog in almost every visa category. The embassy adjudicated over 1,25,000 student visas last year, a record number for Indians, and expects even more Indian students …

‘Spl Saturdays, Arrival of Dozens of Consular Staff’: US Embassy Takes Steps to Address Visa Crunch
1 year, 11 months ago

‘Spl Saturdays, Arrival of Dozens of Consular Staff’: US Embassy Takes Steps to Address Visa Crunch

News 18  

The US has launched several new initiatives to address the visa crunch which has upended plans for travel, business and studies of several Indians. “On January 21, the US mission in India launched the first in a series of special Saturday interview days, as part of a larger effort to reduce wait times for first-time visa applicants. Mumbai Consular Chief …

Working really hard to reduce visa wait times in India: US
1 year, 11 months ago

Working really hard to reduce visa wait times in India: US

Live Mint  

The US is “putting every ounce of its energy” to eliminate the long visa wait time in India, including sending a cadre of consular officers to the country and opening up its other overseas embassies as far away as Germany and Thailand for Indian visa applicants, according to a senior US visa officer. “We're putting every ounce of our energy …

Increasing Consular Staff, Scheduling Spl Interviews: US Embassy Takes Steps to Address Visa Crunch
1 year, 11 months ago

Increasing Consular Staff, Scheduling Spl Interviews: US Embassy Takes Steps to Address Visa Crunch

News 18  

With an aim to cut delays in visa processing in India, the US has launched new initiatives, including scheduling special interviews for first time applicants and increasing strength of consular staff. As part of the multi-pronged approach to cut the visa backlog, the US embassy in Delhi and the consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad conducted “special Saturday interview …

US putting every ounce of energy to eliminate visa wait times in India, says official
1 year, 11 months ago

US putting every ounce of energy to eliminate visa wait times in India, says official

India Today  

The US is “putting every ounce of its energy” to eliminate the long visa wait time in India, including sending a cadre of consular officers to India and opening up its other overseas embassies as far away as Germany and Thailand for Indian visa applicants, a senior US visa officer has said. “We're putting every ounce of our energy toward …

India requests US for speedy issuance of business visas
1 year, 11 months ago

India requests US for speedy issuance of business visas

Firstpost  

Washington: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Wednesday said that India requested the United States to speed up the issuance of business visas so that people can undertake short trips to pursue their business and trade interests. “We found very good resonance to our request that issuance of business visas which is taking a long time back …

Update on US visa interview appointment time in India and delays
1 year, 11 months ago

Update on US visa interview appointment time in India and delays

Hindustan Times  

The United States is making every effort to reduce waiting times for visa interview appointments in India, top State Department official Ned Prince said, adding that the processing of visas is recovering much faster than earlier projected and could reach pre-pandemic levels in 2023. US Visa: Ned Price also informed that the US has issued more student visas in the …

Making every effort to reduce visa interview appointment time in India: U.S.
1 year, 11 months ago

Making every effort to reduce visa interview appointment time in India: U.S.

The Hindu  

The United States is making every effort to reduce the waiting time for visa interview appointments in India as soon as possible, a State Department spokesperson said Wednesday. "Visa processing is recovering faster than projected and over the coming year, we expect to reach pre-pandemic processing levels," State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters at his daily news conference. We …

'Aware of Challenges, Closely Engaged with Authorities': Govt Tells Rajya Sabha Amid Long Delays for US Visa
2 years ago

'Aware of Challenges, Closely Engaged with Authorities': Govt Tells Rajya Sabha Amid Long Delays for US Visa

News 18  

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said that it is aware of the challenges being faced by the Indians in getting US visas and added that the government is closely engaged with the concerned authorities in the US to ease the visa issues. “The Ministry of External Affairs is aware of the challenges being faced by Indian travellers in …

US Govt Aware of Long Delays in Visa Appointments in India, Says White House
2 years ago

US Govt Aware of Long Delays in Visa Appointments in India, Says White House

News 18  

The Biden Administration is aware of the long delays in visa appointments in India and is working to respond to the ”significant demand of these visa services”, the White House said Thursday. Early this week, a presidential commission recommended President Joe Biden to consider issuing a memo to the State Department to reduce the visa appointment wait times to a …

‘Wait times for US visas are still longer than we’d like … We are working to reduce the backlog by 2023’
2 years ago

‘Wait times for US visas are still longer than we’d like … We are working to reduce the backlog by 2023’

Times of India  

A reporter for over two decades, Saurabh Sinha is currently Senior Editor at The Times of India. MORE The interview wait period for US B1 and B2 visas globally is the highest in India, at close to 1,000 days. This is when the US state department recently said the average global wait time for visitor visa category is under two …

'Want System to be Predictable, Less Time Taking': India on 1,000-Day US Visa Wait
2 years, 1 month ago

'Want System to be Predictable, Less Time Taking': India on 1,000-Day US Visa Wait

News 18  

Amid reports that Indian citizens seeking a tourist or business visa for the United States may have to wait for three years, the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said it has not raised the matter with Washington but expects the visa system of a country to be predictable and less time taking. Those planning to visit the United States …

Wait for US visa interview nears 1,000 days: Is it going to get better anytime soon?
2 years, 1 month ago

Wait for US visa interview nears 1,000 days: Is it going to get better anytime soon?

Firstpost  

According to the US State Department, the current wait time for an interview for B1/B2 applicants is at 999 days in Mumbai, 994 days in Hyderabad, 961 days in Delhi, 948 in Chennai, and 904 in Kolkata. It is important to note that these are estimates and not a guarantee of an On Tuesday, the US state department said “the …

US visa processing expected to reach pre-pandemic levels; Indians to benefit
2 years, 1 month ago

US visa processing expected to reach pre-pandemic levels; Indians to benefit

Hindustan Times  

The US visa processing is rebounding faster than projected and is expected to reach pre-pandemic levels in Fiscal Year 2023, the State Department has said, addressing the growing concern over backlog of visa applications from countries like India. We have doubled our hiring of US Foreign Service personnel to do this important work, visa processing is rebounding faster than projected, …

‘India no. 1 priority…waiting time for US visas may reduce by 2023’: Official
2 years, 1 month ago

‘India no. 1 priority…waiting time for US visas may reduce by 2023’: Official

Live Mint  

The waiting period for US visas is likely to move towards further normalcy by mid-2023, a senior US embassy official told Hindustan Times, Livemint's sister publication. The official said that they have a priority in reducing the waiting time for non-immigrant work visas such as the H and L categories, including the coveted H-1B visas, B-1 business visas, B-2 tourism …

Diaspora Group Launches Online Petition Urging Anthony Blinken to Reduce US Visa Wait Time
2 years, 1 month ago

Diaspora Group Launches Online Petition Urging Anthony Blinken to Reduce US Visa Wait Time

News 18  

A US-based diaspora group has launched an online petition campaign urging US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to reduce the long waitlist for various types of American visas being issued from India. Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies has started a petition campaign on change.org, a non-profit petition website, highlighting the contrast in wait times at the US consulates …

US visa delays: Online petition urging to reduce wait time in India launched
2 years, 1 month ago

US visa delays: Online petition urging to reduce wait time in India launched

Hindustan Times  

A US-based diaspora body has launched an online campaign urging Secretary of State Antony Blinken to reduce the waiting time for various types of American visas being issued from India. Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies, or FIIDS, started a petition campaign on change.org, a worldwide nonprofit petition website, highlighting the contrast in wait times at the US consulates …

US Visa Update: Embassy Releases Over 100,000 H and L Visa Appointments
2 years, 2 months ago

US Visa Update: Embassy Releases Over 100,000 H and L Visa Appointments

News 18  

The US embassy released over 100,000 appointments for H and L work visa categories and for their family members, the US embassy said in a tweet on Friday. UPDATE: In response to high demand for employment-based visas, the U.S. Mission to India recently released over 100,000 appointments for H&L workers and their families.— U.S. Embassy India October 14, 2022 “In …

Indian High Commissioner lays out steps to ramp up visa capacity in UK. Details
2 years, 2 months ago

Indian High Commissioner lays out steps to ramp up visa capacity in UK. Details

Live Mint  

The Indian High Commissioner to the UK has laid out steps that are being taken to ramp up capacity and address the difficulty in getting an Indian visa by travellers from Britain. Revealing the steps taken, Doraswami said plans for a new visa centre in Scotland by next week and one in central London by the end of the month, …

US Visa Crunch: Indians to Wait Until 2025; 2 Days Wait Time at Embassies in Beijing, Shanghai
2 years, 2 months ago

US Visa Crunch: Indians to Wait Until 2025; 2 Days Wait Time at Embassies in Beijing, Shanghai

News 18  

Indians waiting to visit the United States across the country are baffled due to long wait times for visa and consular appointments. Upon checking the US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website, the long wait time for a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment at a US Embassy or Consulate could be confirmed. Here are screenshots from the website for …

As India flags visa delay issues, US assures action on 'backlog of applications’
2 years, 2 months ago

As India flags visa delay issues, US assures action on 'backlog of applications’

Hindustan Times  

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in his meeting with the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday raised the issue of the backlog of visa applications from India to which the top American diplomat said he is sensitive to the matter and had a plan to address it. India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar speaks during a press conference with …

India flags visa challenges. US' assurance: ‘Aiming to address issues’
2 years, 2 months ago

India flags visa challenges. US' assurance: ‘Aiming to address issues’

Hindustan Times  

Foreign minister S. Jaishankar said on Tuesday that he flagged visa related challenges that Indians faced during his meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. S Jaishankar-Antony Blinken Meeting: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken shakes hands with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Blinken assured S Jaishankar that US was aiming to address all the concerns related to visas …

US issues 82,000 student visas to Indians in 2022, higher than any previous year
2 years, 3 months ago

US issues 82,000 student visas to Indians in 2022, higher than any previous year

Hindustan Times  

US missions in India have issued 82,000 student visas so far in 2022, higher than in any previous year, and Indian students received more American student visas than any other country. This shows that the United States remains for most Indian families the most sought-after country for higher education,” said charge d’affaires Patricia Lacina, the senior-most US diplomat in India. …

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