Here's how the embassy's new initiative can help you reduce the wait time for a US visa

 

Despite efforts to reduce the backlog, appointment wait times for US visas in India still exceed 500 days in most parts of the country.

According to the US Embassy in India, under a new initiative, Indians traveling abroad can now get a visa appointment at the US Embassy or Consulate of their destination. Despite efforts to reduce the backlog, appointment wait times for US visas in India still exceed 500 days in most parts of the country.

The embassy highlighted Thailand as an example and said the country has potential for B1 and B2 visa (travel and business) placements.

In a tweet, the embassy said: "Do you have upcoming international travel? If so, you may be able to get a visa appointment at the US Embassy or Consulate in your destination. For example, @USEmbassyBKK posted B1/ B2 placement capacity has been opened for Indians who will be in Thailand in the coming months."

Do you have an upcoming international trip? If so, you may be able to get a visa appointment at the US Embassy or Consulate in your destination. For example, @USEmbassyBKK has opened B1/B2 placement capacity for Indians who will be in Thailand in the coming months.

— US Embassy India (@USAndIndia) February 3, 2023

The US government has taken several steps to reduce delays in the visa process, including scheduling special interviews for first-time applicants and increasing staffing at consular offices. To deal with the backlog, the US Embassy in Delhi and its consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad held "Special Saturday Interview Days" on 21 January.

In addition, the US Department of State has begun processing interview waiver cases remotely for applicants who hold previous US visas. Recently, the US Mission in India made more than 250,000 additional B1/B2 placements available to applicants.

According to a senior US visa official who recently spoke to news agency PTI, the US is "putting every ounce of its energy" into reducing visa wait times in India. This includes sending a team of consular officers to the nation and making its other foreign embassies, including those in Germany and Thailand, open to Indian nationals seeking visas.

There have been growing concerns regarding long waiting times for first-time visa applicants in India, particularly those applying for B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) visas. In October last year, the waiting time for initial B1/B2 visa applicants in India was approaching three years.