The BRICS TimesThe US Department of State recently updated its visa norms for non-immigrant visa applicants, making the interview appointment mandatory in the applicant’s country of residence. With the new guidelines, Indian visa applicants will face a significant challenge to book a quick B1 (business) or B2 (tourist) visa appointment from another country.
The United States has introduced a fresh directive regarding visa interview appointments that will impact global applicants, especially Indians. In its official notice issued on September 6, the US Department of State stated that non-immigrant visa seekers must now arrange their interview strictly at the embassy or consulate in their country of residence. Authorities further warned that individuals attempting to schedule their appointments in other countries will find it harder to qualify for a visa, and in such situations, any fees already paid will not be returned.
The notice also clarified that interviews already scheduled will generally remain valid and will not be cancelled under this policy shift. Officials explained that the objective of this change is to curb the earlier practice where applicants opted for neighboring countries that offered shorter waiting periods. The new requirement will particularly burden Indian travelers who previously relied on this option to reduce long delays in India.
Indian citizens applying for a US visa are now required to book their interview dates exclusively within India. Previously, many Indians who intended to travel to the US secured earlier appointments overseas because domestic wait times stretched considerably. This option emerged during the COVID-19 phase, when the backlog of applicants in India created months-long delays. With the revised rule, however, visa aspirants must be prepared for significant waiting periods. For those seeking urgent travel, obtaining quick appointments abroad is no longer possible, making last-minute plans to America increasingly difficult.
Current wait times in India highlight the extent of the problem. Based on official data, the next available appointment in New Delhi requires a wait of approximately 4.5 months. Chennai has one of the longest delays with a waiting period of 9 months, while Hyderabad records 3.5 months and Kolkata around 5 months. In Mumbai, applicants can expect about 3.5 months before securing an appointment. These figures underline the growing challenge for Indians planning business trips, tourism, or studies in the United States.
The waiting duration also depends on the specific visa category. Non-immigrant visas cover several classifications, including B1/B2 for business and tourism, F and M for students, H-1B for employment, and J for exchange programs. For instance, in Kolkata, applicants for a business visa may face a 5.5-month delay, while student or exchange visas are processed faster, with around 2 months’ waiting time. Such variations emphasize how categories determine the length of the queue.
The Department of State also listed certain exceptions to these new rules. Diplomatic or official-type visa holders under categories such as A, G, C-2, C-3, and NATO remain unaffected. Additionally, in rare situations like urgent medical treatment, humanitarian reasons, or foreign policy considerations, exemptions may apply. These exceptions, however, are not available to the general pool of Indian applicants who must now follow the updated regulations.
Adding further difficulty, the United States recently reinstated in-person interviews for nearly all non-immigrant visa categories. Earlier, children below 14 years, seniors above 79 years, and many renewing their visas enjoyed interview waivers. The withdrawal of those exemptions means appointment backlogs will rise further, prolonging the process for thousands of hopeful applicants.
This development signals a tighter stance by the US on its visa processing system. For Indian citizens, the tightening of visa rules on interview appointments means enduring longer waits, less flexibility, and additional barriers when planning visits to the United States.
