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COVID-19

US to Schedule Non-Immigrant Visa Interviews at Applicants' Country of Citizenship or Residence

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Non-immigrant visa (NIV) applicants will now need to schedule their interviews in their country of citizenship or legal residency, as the US Department of State has updated its instructions to implement this change immediately. This means that Indians, for instance, will no longer be able to book a quick B1 (business)/B2 (tourist) appointment date abroad, which they used to do during the Covid-19 pandemic when wait times back home were as high as three years. The change applies worldwide and includes exceptions for countries where the US government is not conducting routine NIV operations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US Department of State has updated its instructions to require NIV applicants to schedule their interview appointments in their country of citizenship or legal residency, effective immediately.
  • This change applies worldwide and includes exceptions for countries where the US government is not conducting routine NIV operations, such as nationals of countries where the US is not conducting routine NIV operations who must apply at the designated embassy or consulate.
  • In India, the wait time for a B1/B2 interview 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 state department website.
  • Previously, Indians would travel to nearby countries or even distant ones like Germany for B1/B2 interviews when wait times in India were as long as 15-20 months.
  • Travel agents recall that Indians would stay abroad for a week to 10 days to get their passport back from the US consulates and return to India.
  • The change will affect applicants for US NIVs, including those issued for tourism and business, to students, temporary workers, exchange visitors, and for those engaged to marry US citizens.

Statistics:

  • Current wait time for a B1/B2 interview in India:

+ Hyderabad and Mumbai: 3.5 months

+ Delhi: 4.5 months

+ Kolkata: 5 months

+ Chennai: 9 months

  • Previous wait time for a B1/B2 interview in India: 15-20 months (at the US consulate in Frankfurt)
  • Number of Indians who would travel to countries like Bangkok, Singapore, and Frankfurt for B1/B2 interviews: undetermined
  • Number of H-1B applicants who would travel to countries like Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and Chiang Mai (Thailand): undetermined

Sources:

  • "US to make non-immigrant visa applicants schedule interviews in their own countries, creates exception for places like India" by TIMESOFINDIA.COM
  • "US State Department updates visa application process" by state department website

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