In a move that brought hope to individuals aspiring to travel to the US for education or work, the US Embassy in New Delhi announced the availability of more than 2.5 lakh interview slots for visa applicants nationwide. However, a technical glitch has created challenges, showing unavailability for 2023 slots.
The US Embassy disclosed that nearly a quarter of a million appointments for nonimmigrant visas became accessible over the weekend, a development shared through their official communication channels.
Unfortunately, some applicants have reported being unable to find available slots for 2023. For instance, those trying to reschedule appointments in Mumbai have encountered limited options, with no open dates until June 2024 for certain visa categories.
Similarly, individuals seeking visa appointments in Delhi have discovered that the earliest available date is February 22, 2024. This issue appears to be linked to a technical glitch, which has led to confusion among applicants.
Reduced Wait Times for B1 and B2 Visas
Recent data from the US State Department indicates a significant reduction in wait times for B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) visa categories. Notably, Delhi’s wait period has decreased to just 37 days, a substantial improvement from the 542-day wait experienced just last week.
Similar improvements in wait times have been observed at various other consulates: Chennai now has a wait time of 341 days (previously 526), Mumbai at 322 days (formerly 596), and Kolkata at 126 days (previously 539). The only minor increase has been seen in Hyderabad, where the wait time went from 506 to 511 days.
Challenges and Technical Glitch
The technical glitch that affected the availability of visa slots for 2023 has caused frustration among many applicants. Despite the US mission’s announcement of 2.5 lakh available slots, individuals attempting to schedule appointments have encountered difficulties finding open dates until the following year.
Efforts to Address Prolonged Wait Times
The prolonged wait times for visa appointments, which reached a staggering 1,000 days earlier this year, have prompted action from the US embassy. The situation was further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on operations.
In collaboration with India’s Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar, the US embassy has been working diligently to address the concerns raised by the Indian government. Over the past year, efforts have been made to reduce the extended wait times, which had reached nearly three years during the previous winter.
To address the backlog of visa applications and meet the growing demand, Indian citizens were given the option to apply for US visas at consulates outside of India. This approach, such as utilizing the consulate in Bangkok, has notably shorter wait times for visa processing.
While the technical glitch has caused some disruption, the US embassy’s actions reflect a commitment to resolving prolonged visa wait times and facilitating smoother visa application processes for Indian travelers.
