The US Mission in New Delhi recently announced a significant expansion of visa interview appointments, opening more than 250,000 nonimmigrant visa slots.
While this move aims to alleviate the backlog and streamline the visa application process, some applicants have encountered challenges in securing appointments for 2023.
However, the latest data from the US State Department indicates a remarkable reduction in wait times for H1B, B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) visa categories in New Delhi and other consulates across India.
For instance, Delhi’s wait time dropped from 542 days to 37 days, a remarkable improvement. Similarly, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai have seen significant reductions in wait times, making the visa application process more accessible and efficient.
Despite the US mission’s announcement of the expanded slots, many applicants faced frustration when attempting to book appointments. Some discovered no available dates for 2023, while others had to reschedule appointments for dates as late as June 2024 due to limited availability.
This situation has led to user complaints on social media, with some expressing concerns about portal issues and the challenges of scheduling appointments.
