New Delhi:
With the waiting time for a US visa appointment in most of India still over 500 days despite efforts to clear the backlog, the US Embassy in India said today that Indians traveling abroad can get a visa appointment at the U.S. embassy or consulate of their destination. Citing Thailand as an example, it said the country has appointment capacity for B1 and B2 visas (travel and business).
“Are you going to be traveling internationally? If so, you may be able to get a visa appointment at the US embassy or consulate at your destination. For example, @USEmbassyBKK has opened B1/B2 appointment capacity for Indians who will be in Thailand in the coming months,” tweeted the US Embassy, India.
Do you have upcoming international travel? If so, you may be able to get a visa appointment at the U.S. embassy or consulate at your destination. For example, @USEmbassyBKK has opened B1/B2 appointment capacity for Indians who will be in Thailand in the coming months. pic.twitter.com/tjunlBqeYu
— US Embassy India (@USAndIndia) February 3, 2023
To avoid delays in visa processing, the US has recently launched new initiatives, including scheduling special interviews for new applicants and strengthening consular staff. As part of the multifaceted approach to clearing the visa backlog, the US Embassy in Delhi and consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad also held “special Saturday interview days” on January 21.
The U.S. State Department has also implemented remote processing of waiver applications for applicants with prior U.S. visas.
The US mission in India released more than 2,50,000 additional B1/B2 appointments two weeks ago.
A senior U.S. visa official recently told PTI news agency that the U.S. is “putting every ounce of effort” into eliminating India’s long visa wait, including sending a cadre of consular officials to the country and opening up other overseas embassies as far away. as Germany and Thailand for Indian visa applicants.
India was one of the few countries where applications for US visas experienced a major uptick after coronavirus-related travel restrictions were lifted.
In India, there are growing concerns about the long waiting time for new visa applicants, especially those applying in B1 (business) and B2 (tourism) categories. The waiting time for first time B1/B2 visa applicants in India was nearly three years in October last year.
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