Good News: US Visa Appointment Wait Time Drops by 75% For Indians

Last Updated on Jul 3rd, 2024 by Sidakbir Singh, Leave a Comment

A game-changing development in the US visa application process for Indians as the appointment wait time undergoes a 75% reduction. This amazing news promises greater efficiency and convenience for applicants. Visa demand saw a surge of 60%, and one in ten applicants hailed from India. More than 140,000 student visas were granted, establishing Indian students as the leading group of international graduate students in the US. Let’s know more about this update in detail below – 

Impact On Different Visa Categories | Global Implications

This improvement is applicable across diverse visa categories, including tourist visas, work visas, and family-sponsored visas, offering relief to a wide range of applicants. The positive shift is observed not only in specific regions but globally, impacting applicants from different countries seeking entry into the United States. 

Applicants now have the advantage of better planning, as the reduced wait times allow for more predictable scheduling of visa appointments, facilitating travel plans.

Technological Upgrades

The decrease in wait times is complemented by technological upgrades in the visa application system, incorporating digital innovations to streamline the entire process. Now, over 700,000 applications in the US have been submitted for visitor visas (B1 and B2), making them the second-highest in demand. 

To address this, the US missions in Mumbai boosted their staffing for three months in early 2023, hired more permanent staff, and introduced new technical solutions.

US Visa Appointment Wait Time Reduced

According to the Hindustani Times, enhancements to processes and increased staffing decreased the average wait time for visitor visa appointments across India from 1,000 to 250 days. It is also mentioned that wait times are now minimal for all other visa categories.

Simply put, changes by the US consulates significantly reduced appointment wait times for visitor visas in India, from around 3 years to less than one year on average.

Umpteen Choices For Indians

With faster visa processing and shorter wait times, Indian tourists now have more choices. Whether it’s for education, work, or fun, you can easily book international flights (such as Mumbai to Chicago or Chicago to Mumbai flights) and plan your trip. The United States is now more accessible than before.

Top Places For Processing US Student Visas

Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, and Chennai are now the top four places for processing student visas in the world. Indian students have become the largest group of international graduate students in the US, comprising over a quarter of the over one million foreign students studying there.  

If you are planning to apply for a US student visa, be aware of the US student visa interview guide and questions/answers. 

Work visas continue to be a high focus, and the US’s visa team in India primarily centers its visa application reviews in Chennai and Hyderabad to streamline the process. In 2023, they issued over 380,000 work visas to Indians and their relatives. This arrangement resulted in shorter waiting times for visa appointments.  

Visa Improvements In 2024

A new program will allow eligible H1B visa holders to renew their visas within the US, making renewals easier. So, please know everything about the HIB Visa step-by-step guide & overview well in advance. 

Clearing Backlogs In Mumbai

The Mumbai consulate eliminated a backlog of over 31,000 delayed immigrant visa cases from the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants with pending petitions can now get appointments within the regular pre-pandemic timeline.

Insight – Recently, the US granted India ‘Treat Country Status’ to ease visas & procedures. 

US Will Continue Upgrading Consular Services In India By

• Opening a new $340 million facility in Hyderabad in March 2023.
• Announcing new consulates in Ahmedabad and Bangalore.
• Continuing facility improvements across India.
• Permanently assigning more consular officers to India.

Tip – If you plan to apply for an Indian Visa, know about the fee of an Indian Visa for US citizens and apply without any doubts. 

We’ve covered almost everything! Keep an eye out for further updates on this development, as MyTicketsToIndia will keep you posted with the latest news.

If you need help in booking USA to India flights and back, we are always here. We deal in offering a range of options and discounts on flight tickets. Our team of travel experts works tirelessly 24/7 to make sure you get the best deal. So, contact us now and bag the most affordable air tickets.