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 Indian students in 2023. State Department spokesperson Ned Price had earlier said that the U.S. issued more student visas in the fiscal year 2022 than in any year since 2016, adding that its embassy and consulates in India in particular broke their all-time record for the number of student visas issued in a single fiscal year. Last month, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said that the country is making “every effort to reduce the waiting time for visa interview appointments in India as soon as possible”. “Visa processing is recovering faster than projected and over the coming year, we expect to reach pre-pandemic processing levels,” Mr. Price told reporters at his daily news conference.

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History of this topic

’Super Saturday’ visa initiative: US to reduce wait times on December 7 in THESE cities – Here’s what you need to know
2 weeks, 3 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 …

US Consulate Opens Student Visa Interviews
7 months ago

US Consulate Opens Student Visa Interviews

Deccan Chronicle  

Hyderabad: The US Consulate General in Hyderabad has announced the opening of slots for student visa interviews on Monday. The visa interview, typically lasting three to four minutes, focuses on three main aspects: students’ eligibility criteria, financial capability to fund their stay in the US, and intent to return to India after their studies. The applicants must carry with them …

‘Constantly reminding, tracking the process of establishing US consulate in Bengaluru’: EAM S Jaishankar
8 months, 1 week ago

‘Constantly reminding, tracking the process of establishing US consulate in Bengaluru’: EAM S Jaishankar

Hindustan Times  

EAM S Jaishankar said on Monday that he is tracking the process of establishing a US consulate in Bengaluru and constantly reminding them. S Jaishankar said that he would like to visit the consulate on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi because he made this request to US in his June last year visit. "I tell them that whenever you …

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 …

Hyderabad makes history as U.S. smashes visa records in India
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Hyderabad makes history as U.S. smashes visa records in India

The Hindu  

Hyderabad emerged as one of the top four student visa processing posts in the world, along with Mumbai, New Delhi, and Chennai, while the U.S. Consular Team in India has set unprecedented visa records in 2023. Hyderabad played a pivotal role in this surge, contributing significantly to India’s representation, with one in every 10 U.S. visa applicants originating from the …

One out of every 10 U.S. visa seekers in the world is Indian: U.S. Embassy
10 months, 3 weeks ago

One out of every 10 U.S. visa seekers in the world is Indian: U.S. Embassy

The Hindu  

Indians represent one out of every 10 U.S. visa seekers in the world, the U.S. Embassy said in New Delhi on January 29. A press note from the U.S. mission informed that the U.S. consular team in India processed a “record-smashing 1.4 million U.S. visas” during 2023. The official statement from the U.S. side said employment visas remain “top priority” …

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 Ambassador Eric Garcetti hands over passport to one millionth visa holder in Delhi. Watch
1 year, 2 months ago

US Ambassador Eric Garcetti hands over passport to one millionth visa holder in Delhi. Watch

Hindustan Times  

The United States Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Thursday handed over the passport to the one millionth visa holder and her spouse in Delhi. While handing over the passport, Garcetti said, “… this year we are so proud… we have processed over 1 million visa applications.” US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti hands over passport to the one millionth …

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 …

US visa: VFS global to temporarily shut down application process on THESE dates
1 year, 5 months ago

US visa: VFS global to temporarily shut down application process on THESE dates

Live Mint  

The US Embassy in India has informed that the VFS Global, a visa application company, will shut down application process from 12-14 July. The US embassy mentioned that visa application process- appointment booking, calls, and fee payments-- will be resumed from 15 July. Our customer service center VFS is migrating to a new platform and will be temporarily closed for …

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 student visa appointments begin in July. Check how to book slots
1 year, 6 months ago

US student visa appointments begin in July. Check how to book slots

Live Mint  

The United States has opened visa appointments for F-1 student visas across its consulates in India, bringing relief to many aspirants. How to apply for your nonimmigrant visa for travel to the United States What documents, photos and information you need to apply for your visa How to access visa application forms and instructions How to pay your visa application …

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 …

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 Consulate-Hyderabad launches ‘Visa Surge’ days to meet rising demand; more slots for students
1 year, 8 months ago

US Consulate-Hyderabad launches ‘Visa Surge’ days to meet rising demand; more slots for students

The Hindu  

The US Consulate in Hyderabad is introducing ‘Visa Surge’ days to create more slots to deal with the rising demand and special focus will be laid on student visas since they face difficulties in getting a slot before the classes commence. Consular Chief, US Consulate General Hyderabad, Rebekah Drame made this announcement while interacting with the media along with Consul …

US student visa: Update on application process for FI visa. Details here
1 year, 10 months ago

US student visa: Update on application process for FI visa. Details here

Hindustan Times  

The United States Department of State announced an update for international students looking to study in the US following which students will be allowed to apply for F-1 visa up to 365 days before their academic term begins. US universities can now accept and issue I-20 forms 12-14 months before term time but students can only enter the US on …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

US issued nearly 1,25,000 student visas to Indians in 2022, says Ned Price
1 year, 11 months ago

US issued nearly 1,25,000 student visas to Indians in 2022, says Ned Price

Firstpost  

Washington: The United States embassy and consulates in India have issued a record 1,25,000 student visas in 2022, a State Department spokesperson said Wednesday. State Department spokesperson Ned Price also said the US is making every effort to reduce the waiting time for visa interview appointment in India as soon as possible. We have issued nearly 1,25,000 student visas,” State …

Around 1,25,000 student visas issued by US to Indians in 2022: Official
1 year, 11 months ago

Around 1,25,000 student visas issued by US to Indians in 2022: Official

Live Mint  

US embassy and consulates in India said they have issued record-breaking visas to Indian students in 2022. State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said the US issued more student visas in fiscal year 2022 than in any year since 2016. Price said US embassy and consulates in India in particular broke their all-time record for the number of student visas issued …

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 …

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 …

‘India top priority,’ says US Embassy as it opens 1 lakh work-visa slots for Indians
2 years, 1 month ago

‘India top priority,’ says US Embassy as it opens 1 lakh work-visa slots for Indians

Firstpost  

The move will empower India to overtake China in getting the maximum number of US visas by next year’s summer season. After Mexico, India is expected to rank number 2 in the issuance of US visas New Delhi: The United States is likely to open visa slots for Indians in mid-November and by the middle of next summer will be …

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, …

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 …

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