However, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India are now opening appointments across all visa categories. All applicants who applied for a B-1/B-2 visa and had their applications cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic, and all other first-time applications may look for new appointments.
When will the B1/B2 visa interviews start in India?
The actual B1/B2 Visa interviews are planned to start on Sep 1st, 2022. They will be opening them in 500 slots per day. B1/B2 Dropbox appointments are open for the 3rd week of July 2022. In the next 12 months, US Consulates in India plan to process about 300,000 appointments for H and L visa categories ( H1B, H4, L1, L2)
When will the B1/B2 visa appointment slots open?
B1/B2 Fresh Visa or first-time applicants: Appointment Slots for first time B1/B2 visa applicants are planned to open in the next few weeks. The actual B1/B2 Visa interviews are planned to start on Sep 1st, 2022. They will be opening them in 500 slots per day.
Can a B1/B2 visa holder from India travel to the US?
Work based visa holders from India and those who wish to obtain a new B1/B2 visa or renew an expired one, continue to face challenges when it comes to traveling to the US.
Is Dropbox open for B1/B2 visa?
B1/B2 Dropbox appointments are open for the 3rd week of July 2022. In the next 12 months, US Consulates in India plan to process about 300,000 appointments for H and L visa categories ( H1B, H4, L1, L2)
Is US Embassy open for B2 visa?
The U.S. Mission to India is pleased to resume processing of routine in-person B1/B2 visas appointments starting in September 2022.
Is tourist visa for US Open in India?
Yes. Travel to India for tourism and other short-term purposes resumed fully for individuals holding tourist or e-tourist visas. Valid visas, which were previously suspended due to COVID-19 precautions, have been fully reinstated and are valid for travel until their printed expiration dates.
Can B1 B2 visa enter us now from India?
We have now resumed routine B1/B2 processing, however due to high demand, we are experiencing extended wait times across all visa categories. Applicants with an urgent need to travel should follow the instructions at https://www.ustraveldocs.com/gm/gm-niv-emergencyappointment.html.
Is US giving tourist visa now?
The US embassy has announced that it will resume routine in-person tourist visa appointments from September. “The US Mission to India is pleased to announce that we are resuming routine in-person tourist visa appointments in September 2022. Previously scheduled placeholders have now been cancelled," it tweeted.
When US tourist visa will open?
Jul 11, 2022 As restrictions start to ease, most U.S. embassies and consulates have resumed certain immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments.
When B2 visa will start?
US Embassy confirmed on April 18th, 2022 that they plan to open B1/B2 visa appointments for first-time applicants with interviews starting from September 1st, 2022.
Can I apply for B2 visa now?
We continue to offer limited routine student and work visa appointments. Currently available B1/B2 visa appointments have been opened only for the purpose of facilitating emergency visa appointment requests.
How long does a B2 visa take?
B2 Visa Processing Time and Length of Stay B2 visas are valid for up to six months and may be renewed once for up to an additional six months. After submitting the DS-160 form, it generally takes USCIS between 60–90 days to process the B2 visa application.
Is B1 B2 visa open?
They have opened first-time B1/B2 slots with interviews starting from Sep 2022, they continue to open slots until late 2024. H/L visa slots are booked for several months, they have opened slots for late 2022 and 2023 for booking. The slots in late 2022 and 2023 are not placeholder slots.
Can I travel to USA from India during Covid?
Non-U.S. Citizen, Non-U.S. Immigrants: Travel to and from the United States. As of 12:01AM ET on June 12, 2022, CDC will no longer require air passengers traveling from a foreign country to the United States to show a negative COVID-19 viral test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board their flight ...
Are Indian tourist visas still suspended?
All existing visas—except electronic visas (e-Visas), tourist visas and medical visas, which remain suspended—have been restored with immediate effect. If the visa has expired, the foreign national may obtain a fresh visa under the appropriate category from the relevant Indian mission or post.
How to check if your visa application is approved?
Use your CEAC barcode or case number and the location where your interview occurred to check the status of your case. Click on “Check My Visa Application Status.” If you received a 221g letter or were told your case requires further “Administrative Processing” this system will let you know if your case has been approved, requires more information, or is still being processed.
How to check status of visa application?
Applicants can easily check the status of their cases online with the U.S. Department of State’s CEAC Status Check by following the instructions below. Use your CEAC barcode or case number and the location where your interview occurred to check the status of your case. Click on “Check My Visa Application Status.”.
What is non-immigrant visa?
Non-immigrant visas are interview-based. Interviewing officers rely on statements made by the applicant to determine visa eligibility, although they may consult supporting documents such as affidavits of support, travel arrangements, employment letters or financial statements to verify statements made in the interview.
What is the purpose of a second immigration officer?
During secondary inspection, a second immigration officer will review your case and ask you about your travel and background.
Can you submit false information on a visa application?
Remember: You alone are responsible for the accuracy of the information in your application. Intentionally submitting false information either on the application itself or during the visa interview can lead to a finding of a permanent ineligibility. Never sign the application you are submitting without reviewing it first for accuracy if you have had help filling it out.
Do temporary visitors need visa consultants?
Many temporary visitors turn to visa consultants before scheduling their interviews. While some consultants provide helpful information, many do not.
Can a third country national get a visa waiver?
Some third country nationals (Non-Indian or Bhutanese citizens) may be eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). For more information about third country national visa and appointment requirements, please visit the Department of State website.
When will the US Embassy in India extend the visa fee?
US Embassy in India has extened the Visa Appointment Fee (MRV Fee) validity by an year to September 30, 2023 . If you were not able to book an appointment since the consulates have been closed due to COVID, you are in good shape as you have until Sep 2023 to book an appointment. See screenshot below
When will the US see more appointments in India?
We will see more appointment slots from Jan 2022 to May 2022 as per new guidance by head of US Consulates in India. Check Guidance by US Head of Consulates in India for appointments
Is the US visa stamping cancelled in 2021?
Due to the Presidential proclamation on April 30, 2021, that imposes a travel ban to the US from India, US Consulates and Embassy in India have canceled all US Visa stamping regular visa stamping appointments until further notice. There is no estimated date when they will lift the travel ban. Currently they are only serving cases that fall under NIE or part of exemptions in proclamation.
Can I apply for NIE in the US?
Apply NIE while in US : You cannot apply for NIE when you are physically present in the US. You need to be in India and then only apply for NIE. Check US Consulate Chennai Guidance – Can you apply for NIE, while in US for full details.
Do I need a new visa if I already have one?
You do not need a new US Visa, if you are already in US. As long as you have your I-797 approval valid and I-94 valid, you are fine. All you need to do is maintain Status. Read US Visa vs. Status Difference
Has the B1 appointment changed?
No Changes to the B1/B2 Appointments. This was one of the most frequently asked question and US consulate did not give any information on this. See below screenshot and check Top 10 FAQs of week on US Embassy Website
Is there a change in the US consulate visa?
Even though the travel ban is lifted, there is no change in the US Consulates visa appointments situation. Only limited appointments for Dropbox and some regular appointments. No Dropbox slots open for B1/B2 Appointments yet.
US Student Visa Processing Has Restarted
Student visas are still handled as needed. We predict a rise in student applications in November and December for the January semester.
Has US Visit Visa Processing Restarted
The B1/B2 Drop box application appointment window opens late November/early December for appointments in January/February 2022. Appointments for B-1/B-2 visas not eligible for dropbox may be postponed.
Has Immigrant Visa Processing Started
The US Consulate in Mumbai handles immigrant visas for all of India and has a large immigrant visa processing team. To date, they exclusively scheduled interviews for people exempt from the numerous Presidential Proclamations and travel bans. They’ll now start arranging interviews for the other categories.
Can H1B Visa stamping be done from India now
With the large backlogs, even obtaining dropbox appointments may be problematic. You do not require a visa if you are in status in the US on an accepted H-1B petition or comparable circumstances. A visa is only required if you leave the US and return. So, it’s best to travel at a later date for visa stamping on H1 vsas.
When will India open its borders?
With international travel resuming, several countries are opening up their borders to welcome visitors. Beginning October 15, 2021 , India has begun issuing visitor visas to those boarding chartered flights and for those boarding regular flights from November 15, 2021.
What happens if a non-immigrant visa is refused?
If the visa applicant has not established that he or she is eligible for a visa, the consular officer will refuse issuing a U.S non-immigrant visa. In certain cases, the consular officer may give another chance to evaluate the visa application. This is called Administrative Processing.
Can you expedite a visa interview?
Can you expedite your chances of getting a visa interview appointment? Under certain circumstances, U.S. consulates may expedite your interview date if there is an urgent, unforeseen situation like a death of an immediate family member, personal medical emergency, or that of an immediate family member or in the case of international students, school start date.
Are You Eligible For An Expedited U.S. Visa Interview Appointment?
Every non-immigrant visa applicant has to first submit the online visa application Form DS-160, pay the application fee, and schedule the interview appointment by seeking the first available appointment. With most U.S. consulates in India temporarily closed, the wait times are pretty lengthy.
