Great news for those applying for a US visitor’s visa as the waiting time for the visa interview will be reduced by 60%.
The credit goes to the government’s several measures, including the recruitment of more officials and the opening of additional diplomatic missions to handle the visa applications.
According to Julie Stufft, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Visa Services, the State Department’s objective is to issue 1 million visas this year, which exceeds the pre-pandemic figures.
Various Steps Taken by Government to Reduce the Wait time
Regarding the measures taken to reduce the waiting time for visa interviews in India, Julie Stufft stated, “We have augmented the number of officers being sent to India,
and have established unprecedented arrangements with other embassies around the world, such as Bangkok, to handle Indian visa applicants.
We are also inaugurating a new consulate in Hyderabad, and our primary objective is to decrease the wait time for Indians seeking visas.”
Julie Stufft mentioned that the Frankfurt, London, and Abu Dhabi embassies have assisted numerous Indian citizens in obtaining visas.
She further explained, “We have instructed these missions to treat Indian applicants as if they were from their own host country.
This is especially true in Bangkok, where Indians do not require a visa and can travel relatively quickly.
However, our ultimate goal is for Indians to apply for visas in India, and we are working towards that.”
Julie Stufft noted that over 100 US diplomatic missions have been granting visas to Indian citizens, and as a result of these initiatives, the waiting period for visitor visa interviews has decreased by 60% in recent months.
She added, “This reduction is a result of our collective efforts to enable Indian travelers to visit the US with ease.”
Furthermore, Julie Stufft mentioned that “Visa production in India has increased by 40% compared to pre-pandemic levels,” and emphasized that the State Department is committed to reducing the waiting time for visa interviews.
Julie Stufft stated that in February, the US had recorded its highest visa production in India.
“Our team is making significant efforts, and they are making steady progress towards achieving our goal of issuing 1 million visas,” she added.
The State Department is also working on issuing other types of visas, such as student visas, as per the official.
Remote Processing, No Need of Applicant to Visit Embassy/Consulate
Regarding the ability to process visas remotely and the elimination of the requirement for applicants to be physically present, Julie Stufft explained, “By expanding interview waivers, we have reduced the number of Indians who need to appear at the embassy or consulate for an interview.
As a result, we can process these applications without meeting the applicant in person.
This has been extremely beneficial to us, as consular officers in many countries have been able to remotely process these Indian visas.”
According to Julie Stufft, this has enabled individuals who do not require an interview, such as those who have previously travelled to the US, to obtain their visas in less than two weeks, setting a new record for processing time.
Julie Stufft referred to it as a collective global endeavor, stating that “It is truly a global effort.
Given the strong ties between India and the United States, the categories of visas issued in India are among the highest, including those for students, tech workers, and crew members. Our countries share a close cultural, educational, and professional relationship.”
According to Julie Stufft, individuals with urgent humanitarian needs who must travel to the US will receive expedited processing.
She advised individuals to schedule their appointments at a suitable location in India or abroad, and to exercise patience as the wait times are reduced.
She also expressed enthusiasm about the monthly record-breaking visa issuance numbers in India, stating “We are thrilled to be setting new records every month with the number of visas we are issuing in India.”
Julie Stufft also mentioned that the State Department is eager to introduce a pilot project for domestic visa renewals in the near future.
According to Julie Stufft, the proposed pilot project for domestic visa renewals would allow certain work visa holders residing in the United States to apply for visa renewals without having to leave the country.
This would be particularly beneficial for a significant number of tech workers from India, who would no longer need to return to India or apply for their visa in another country.
According to Stufft, the launch of the pilot project on domestic renewal of visas is very exciting and a significant undertaking as it involves building up the operation from scratch.
She emphasized that this is something that has not been done for several decades and will have enormous benefits for Indians living and working in America.
