Update on U.S. Visa Processing in India
3 min read
US Visa Processing: Mr. Don Heflin, the Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in India, recently conducted a question-and-answer discussion to update people on the state of visa appointments at U.S. consulates in India.
Staffing Levels | US Visa Processing
Mr. Heflin noticed that staffing levels at the consulates have been a continuous issue, with the departments in India staffed at around 70% of pre-Coronavirus levels. Also, he trusts the consulates will get back to being completely staffed within a year. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of State (DOS), which has jurisdiction over all U.S. consulates, is in the process of transferring some staff. To the consulates in India temporarily to help with the backlogs in visa appointments.
Student Visas
Mr. Heflin expressed that U.S. offices in India have given more than 82,000 student visas this year, adding that, adding that, for the first time, more Indians have been granted student visas than foreign nationals from some other countries. He also explained that extra student visa interviews will be conducted from mid-November through the finish of December 2022. Some of these appointment slots opened in October, with extra openings to be delivered in mid-November.
B-1/B-2 Visas
The longest appointment wait times are for first-time B-1/B-2 visa candidates. Mr. Heflin demonstrated that the consulate is working to reduce these wait times, along with wait times for other visa classifications. Meanwhile, he recommended that candidates should plan the earliest appointment available, even if the date is a long way off. If the individual later finds a previous appointment date, the candidate can reschedule for the prior date.
H and L Visas
For interview waivers or “dropbox” cases, Mr. Heflin expressed that thousands of appointments were being made available for H and L visa candidates for 2023. Also, he noticed that a candidate can check the site a few times each day to check whether any new appointment lots have opened.
Expedite Requests
Mr. Heflin expressed that the U.S. consulates in India have been receiving hundreds of expedited appointment requests every week and, given this high volume, just those candidates who strictly qualify for an expedited appointment will be granted one. Also, the criteria for expedited appointments include attending the funeral of an immediate family member. A medical emergency about an immediate family member, or the need to attend to a truly urgent business matter.
Third Country Nationals
Indian residents might be allowed to apply for visas at a U.S. consulate in another nation if that embassy is currently accepting third-country nationals. Mr. Heflin expressed that a candidate’s chances are better if the candidate is a drop box renewal case. Applying for a visa as a third-country national tends to have a more serious risk of denial. Also, in many cases, Indian nationals probably will require a visa to enter the third nation even to apply for a visa appointment.
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Conclusion
The backlog at U.S. departments has been a continuous issue since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic. While it is encouraging that wait times have been decreased. It actually may require numerous months to get this situation fully under control. Moreover, things are moving in the right direction. We appreciate the steps being taken to alleviate visa appointment backlogs.
