Is US embassy open in India for visas?
U.S. Embassy New Delhi and the U.S. Consulates in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai are open for visa and citizens services. For information on visas, click here, and for U.S. citizens click here.
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.
Is US B1 B2 visa Open in India?
Routine B1/B2 Appointments The U.S. Mission to India is pleased to resume processing of routine in-person B1/B2 visas appointments starting in September 2022. Please note, these appointments are not placeholder appointments.
Are B2 visa appointments 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.
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.
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.
What is the wait time for U.S. visa appointment?
As per the US Department of State travel Travel.State.Gov website, the appointment for visitor visa in the US consulate at New Delhi is 582 calendar days and 471 days for student visas.
What is the suspension of entry in India?
* Effective May 4, the entry into the United States of certain nonimmigrant travelers who have been physically present in India is suspended. U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (LPR), and immigrants are not subject to the proclamation. The suspension of entry also does not apply to non-U.S. citizen spouses or unmarried children under the age of 21 of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents. More information is available at travel.state.gov. For more information on who qualifies for an exception to the presidential proclamation, please click here
What is the highest level of travel advisory?
Level 4 is the highest advisory level due to greater likelihood of life-threatening risks. During an emergency, the U.S. government may have very limited ability to provide assistance. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory.
What is the number to speak to a doctor in India?
The Indian Medical Association also has a 24/7 hotline for individuals to speak with a doctor at +91 99996-72238 or +91 99996-72239.
How long do you have to submit a self declaration form for India?
All international passengers must visit newdelhiairport.in/airsuvidha/allairports and submit a self-declaration form at least 72 hours prior to departure for India.
When will India extend visas?
The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs stated that regular visas and e-visas of foreign nationals stranded in India because of COVID-19 restrictions have been extended until August 31 without penalty. Travelers should not be fined an overstay penalty upon departure if done by August 31.
When will India resume tourism?
Travel to India for tourism and other short-term purposes will resume fully on November 15 for individuals holding tourist or e-tourist visas issued on or after October 6, 2021. Tourist visas issued before October 2021 will not be honored and travelers attempting to enter India using one of these visas are likely to be detained and returned to their point of origin.
Is a negative PCR required for entry to India?
Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes, as of February 22, 2021, all international travelers arriving in India, regardless of vaccination status, must upload a negative RT-PCR report to the Air Suvidha portal taken within 72 hours of the start of their journey. Additional testing on entry/quarantine may apply depending on nationality or country of embarkment/transit.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How to determine if you are eligible for drop box processing?
Eligibility can be determined by visiting the official website of the US Embassy and Consulates in India. US student visa appointments are also available through the official website.
When will the US cancel visas for India?
The United States officially declared the national emergency due to the coronovirus, so the US embassy and consulates in India has cancelled the nonimmigrant visa appointment from 16th march 2020 and onward till the official announcements.
When will the USA embassy process visa applications?
According to the situation, USA Embassies are expected to process the visa application by end of October or mostly by November 2020 for sure. But, there will be certain limitations to apply which depends on the visa purpose you apply for.
Is India accepting drop box applications?
The US consular sections throughout India are “now accepting drop box applications for F, M, and J visa renewals and H and L visa renewals who qualify for an exception to the Proclamations”.
Will the US expand in person services in India?
As per the US Embassy and Consulates in India, “ We will expand in-person services once local conditions allow us to do so while ensuring the safety of the public and our staff .”
Can the US consulate make an appointment?
You can't. Us consulate will do it when time is right. They have stopped giving appointment for most of the visa categories. Except some categories.
Is consulting fees worth it?
If consultation fees ensure your work in US and your future, then it is a worthwhile investment.
