US Non-Immigrant Visa Applicants Must Schedule Interviews in Home Country or Residency

Strategic Insights -

Applicants for US non-immigrant visas will now need to schedule their interview appointments in their country of citizenship or legal residency, unless a few exceptions apply. This change, effective immediately, aims to streamline visa processing and reduce wait times for B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) visa applicants. The updated instructions come as part of a series of changes made by the Trump regime to visa rules. Indians requiring to travel to America at short notice will no longer be able to book quick B1/B2 appointment dates abroad.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US Department of State has updated instructions for non-immigrant visa applicants to schedule visa interview appointments at the US embassy or consulate in their country of nationality or residence.
  • The change applies worldwide and is effective immediately, with the exception of countries where the US government is not conducting routine NIV operations.
  • Applicants renewing a full validity B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visa within 12 months of the prior visa's expiration are exempt from the in-person interview requirement, as long as they were at least 18-years-old at the time of the prior visa's issuance.
  • The wait time for a B1/B2 interview in India is currently three and a half months in Hyderabad and Mumbai, four and a half months in Delhi, five months in Kolkata, and nine months in Chennai, according to the US State Department website.
  • Travel agents recall that Indians used to travel to nearby countries and even distant ones like Germany for B1/B2 interviews due to long wait times in India.
  • The US consulate in Frankfurt previously set aside NIV interview appointments specifically for Indian applicants, citing a 15-20 month wait period for B1/B2 visas in India.

Statistics:

  • As of now, the wait time for a B1/B2 interview in India is three and a half months in Hyderabad and Mumbai, four and a half months in Delhi, five months in Kolkata, and nine months in Chennai.
  • Two years ago, the US consulate in Frankfurt set aside NIV interview appointments for Indian applicants due to a 15-20 month wait period for B1/B2 visas in India.
  • 15-20 months was the wait time for B1/B2 visas in India two years ago.
  • Nine months is the current wait time for a B1/B2 interview in Chennai.

Sources:

  • PTI
  • State Department website
  • Trump regime
  • US President Trump