In the coming weeks, U.S. embassies in India will make 100,000 visa appointments available for H and L worker visas for drop box cases. This is available for first-time applicants. This is the first time visa slots have opened for new applicants in two years, prior to the global pandemic. However, as demand is very high, high wait times are expected.

The wait time for an Indian national to obtain a visitor visa to the U.S. is up to 800 days. For student/exchange visitors and other non-immigrant visas, the wait is nearly 400 days. Naturally, these extensive delays were greatly impacted by the global pandemic.

In addition, embassies and consulates will make student interviews available. Those interviews are estimated to be available in mid-November through December of this year. Half of the student interview slots will open in mid-October and the balance roughly one month later in mid-November. F, M, and J visas will be prioritized for appointments.

The embassy stated they are actively working on reducing the wait times for B1/B2 visas in the coming months. The wait time for these visas is over 800 days. H-1B and H-4 work permit visas have also been severely impacted. Efforts are underway to reduce backlogs across all visa types.

The Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs, US Embassy, stated that staffing levels will return to 100% by this time next year. Further, he stated that in 2023, embassies and consulates will be able to process more visas than they have historically been able to complete. He further emphasized that holders of H and L visas have not been able to return to India to visit since prior to the pandemic, and the organization is sympathetic to their need to return.

If you have questions about your India visa appointments, your visa status, how these appointments may be helpful for your situation, or any other immigration-related issue, please contact us. Our extensive expertise with all immigration visa types ensures you get the proper guidance.