Is the US Embassy in India open for work?
As a result of increasing infection rates and Covid deaths, the U.S. Consulates and Embassy in India have temporarily closed all operations. Regular visa appointments are not being issued either. A few, limited visa slots for are being released for non-immigrant work visas like H1-B, F1 student visa and L1.
Why the US consulate in Chennai is the best?
The U.S. Consulate in Chennai is one of the top visa adjudication posts in the world, and the number one in processing employment based visas. The Consulate also provides an array of services to Americans residing or traveling to Chennai.
When will US Visa Stamping in India be allowed again?
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 appointments until further notice. There is no estimated date when they will lift the travel ban.
Is the US Embassy in Delhi cancelling all in-person visa appointments?
US Embassy in Delhi Cancelled all in-person visa appointments, dropbox appointments from April 26th to May 9th due to severe COVID situation in Delhi. See below screenshot from US Embassy India website and tweet from them on twitter Mumbai also continues to offer only emergency services. Other consulates are operating in very limited capacity.
Is US Consulate in Chennai issuing visitor visa?
On February 1, 2021, the U.S. Consulate General in Chennai resumed processing of all visa categories, including student, employment-based (H1-B, H4, L-1, L-2, C1/D), and temporary visitor (B1/B2) visas. Our capacity remains limited, however, to maintain the safety of our customers and staff.
Are U.S. consulates open for visa processing?
The coronavirus pandemic led to the suspension of U.S. visa services around the world. As restrictions start to ease, most U.S. embassies and consulates have resumed certain immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments.
When U.S. visa services will resume in Chennai?
“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.
Is the US embassy in India open for visa?
U.S. Embassy New Delhi and the U.S. Consulates in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai are open for visa and citizens services.
Are B1 visa slots open in India?
The US Embassy announced on Sunday that it was resuming tourist and visitor B1-B2 visa appointments in India from September after the rush for student visas ended.
How long wait for visa interview appointment?
How long does it take to get an appointment? Although NVC strives to schedule appointments within three months of NVC's acceptance of all requested documentation, this timeframe is subject to the operating status and capacity of the consular section.
Are visa slots open for fall 2022?
Earlier in May, the Embassy opened its first batch of interview slots for dates in June and the first half of July 2022, as the Times of India reported.
Is US Embassy open for B1 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.
How can I get early US visa appointment?
For such travel, please schedule regular visa appointment well in advance....Pay the visa application fee.Schedule an appointment online for the earliest available date. ... If the Embassy approves your request then you will receive an email alerting you to schedule your expedited appointment online.More items...
Are B2 visa slots open in India?
They have opened many interview slots for F1 student visas and have started to open B1/B2 renewal interview slots. Those B1/B2 interviews would start in September 2022. They plan on issuing about 800,000 visas in India within the next 12 months. Applicants can now schedule appointments up to 18 months in advance.
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.
How can I check visa slots availability?
Check US Visa Slots. This checkvisaslots.com's extension will provide access to check & share the US visa slots availability. Summary: checkvisaslots.com is a collaborative screenshot sharing platform to check the US visa slots availability at US Consulates/Embassy in India.
Why U.S. visa slots are not available?
The US Consulates have not opened fully for regular operations, they continue to operate in a very limited fashion with limited slots. F1 Appointments for Fall 2022: US Embassy mentioned that they will give slots to students who did not interview before, instead of giving more slots for someone rejected.
Can I apply for U.S. visa now?
Please note: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the State Department temporarily suspended routine visa services at all U.S. embassies and consulates in March 2020. The process to resume routine visa services began in February 2021.
Is U.S. Embassy open for B1 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.
How long does a B1 B2 visa take to process?
Visa processing takes approximately 21 workdays from the date on which the application is received by the Embassy. A further 2-3 workdays should be allowed for the return of your passport.
How long is the drop box valid?
They changed the dropbox eligibility criteria to 48 months from expiry, instead of 12 months. This was originally valid until March 31, 2021. On March 11th, 2021, they extended this until Dec 31, 2021 and changed the eligibility from 24 months to 48 months from expiry.
How long is the NIE valid?
NIE Validity 12 months : US Dept of State issued guidance indicating that NIE would be valid for 12 months from the date it was issued and it is valid for multiple entries as well. This is effective from July 6, 2021 and it will apply retroactively to previously issued NIE with old 30 days rule. Check more at Travel to US on NIE – 12 months Rule
When will the NIE expire in 2021?
This is effective from July 6th, 2021 . Also, this will apply to previously issued NIE exceptions by the consulate as well. The same was confirmed by US Embassy in India as well.
When will the MRV fee be extended?
MRV Fee Payment Validity Status : US Consulates in India have extended the MRV fee ( Visa Appointment Booking Fee) payment validity until September 30th, 2023 (extended in Nov 2021 by an year) to make sure all applicants get time to schedule visa appointment. It is updated on the US Embassy and USTravelDocs India 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 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.
What determines what type of visa is required?
The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law. As a visa applicant, you will need to establish that you meet all requirements to receive the category of visa for which you are applying.
How to request an expedited appointment?
How to Request an Expedited Appointment: Applicants can request an expedited appointment through our online appointment system at https://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/expedited-appointment.html. You must already have a confirmed interview appointment date in order to request an expedited appointment. If your expedited appointment request is approved, you will be notified with instructions via email. You should not cancel your existing appointment unless you receive a confirmation that your request for an expedited appointment has been approved. If you have not yet received an approval or denial, your request is still under consideration.
How long is a visa application valid for?
There is no fee to change an appointment and visa application fees are valid for one year in the country where the fee was paid. The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law.
What is business traveler?
Business traveler, we will establish appropriate mechanisms to facilitate business travel and expedite cases of particular concern to American business.
How to prepare for an interview?
Prepare for your interview by being able to clearly and concisely describe your intentions.
What are the exceptions to the suspension of entry?
There are certain exceptions to the suspension of entry, including exceptions for certain family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, among other exceptions listed in the proclamations.
When did Biden suspend travel to India?
On April 30, President Biden signed Presidential Proclamation 10199 suspending most nonimmigrant travel from India. In light of the travel suspension and due to the current pandemic situation in India, most other routine nonimmigrant visa and VAC appointments at U.S. Embassy New Delhi and the consulates in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, ...
When will Delhi open for visa processing?
End of Jan 2021: secured another slot for Feb when Delhi opened up for limited visa processing.
How long does it take to get biometrics?
Feb 18 : Bio metrics took 25 mins from the arrival time.
When was the H1B work location amendment approved?
H1B work location amendment for remote work due to pandemic – approved in Sept 2020
Is India affected by the Proclamation?
Impacted by proclamation, Been in India since Jan 2020, No Chamber of Commerce connection
Is the US consulate in India open?
US Consulates in India are not fully open yet for regular operations. They are giving limited H1B, H4, L1, B1/B2 slots across all the US consulates in Chennai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad and US Embassy in New Delhi. Many of the community members were generous to contribute anonymously all these experiences that are listed in this article ...
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.
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.
When will travel restrictions be lifted in 2021?
The White House announced that they will lift all travel restrictions for over 32 countries on November 8 , 2021. This would mean that fully vaccinated visitors holding a valid visa will be allowed to enter the USA.
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.
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.
Can you expedite an interview date?
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.
How to get an expedited visa appointment?
In all cases: You must first submit the online visa application form (DS-160), pay the application fee, and schedule the first available interview appointment. Only at this point will a consular section consider your request for an expedited appointment.
What does 999 days mean?
A wait time listed as "999 calendar days" indicates that the Consular Section is only providing that service to emergency cases. Please check the Embassy or Consulate website for further information.
Can a consular officer refuse a visa?
The consular officer will either issue or refuse the visa. If a visa applicant has not established that he or she is eligible for a visa, the consular officer must refuse that application. However, some refused visa applications may require further administrative processing.
Does administrative processing include time?
These estimates do not include time required for administrative processing, which may affect some applications. When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on individual circumstances of each case.
