In the coming month, a limited number of additional interview waiver appointments for qualifying B-1 and B-2 individuals will be available at U.S. Embassies in Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai, per the U.S. Embassy India. These additional appointments address the extensive B-1 and B-2 interview waiver wait time of nearly 300 days in Mumbai, over 230 days in Delhi, and over 170 in Chennai. The wait time for B-1 and B-2 visas for those who are not eligible for interview waivers is nearly three years within India.

Individuals may choose the interview waiver program if they are renewing any current visa, including B-1 and B-2, within 48 months of the current date of expiration. The global median wait time for a tourist visa interview appointment is under two months as of this month, per the U.S. State Department. Per USTravel.org, the average wait time for a first-time tourist visa to the U.S. from India is over 800 days, as of October 2022.

Embassies in India are taking action to address the growing backlog. Specifically, three additional efforts are underway. The U.S. expanded eligibility requirements so more people qualify for the interview waiver. Drop box cases are being sent abroad for faster adjudication. Finally, additional temporary staffers have been retained and trained.

Students are a top priority during admission season. Expediting drop box cases for skilled workers and those renewing B-1 or B-2 visas and who qualify for the interview waiver program is the next priority. It may take a few months before the wait time starts dropping for the B-1 or B-2 visa. As previously stated, the U.S. expects processing times to return to pre-pandemic levels in FY2023.

If you have questions about your B-1 or B-2 visa or any other immigration-related issue, please contact us. We actively follow updates on U.S. immigration policy and are with our clients every step of the way.