Good news for Indian citizens planning to travel to the United States: the US Consulate General in Mumbai has announced that applicants can now schedule their appointments for immigrant visa interviews within the standard time frame, as the visa backlog caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has been eliminated.
Previously, due to the pandemic, the wait times for immigrant visa applicants had exceeded two years. However, individuals whose immigrant petitions are current, meaning that the visas are available and the applicants are ready to book an appointment, can now schedule their interviews within the usual waiting period.
The Consulate General stated that this change will facilitate quicker reunification of families in the United States. They also highlighted the significant demand in India for visas to travel to the US, which reflects the strength and vitality of US-India relations. The press release mentioned that over 900,000 non-immigrant visa applications are currently being processed, and this number is expected to soon exceed one million.
Earlier, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti set a target of processing at least one million visas by 2023. He also noted that the wait time for first-time tourist visa interviews has been reduced by more than 50%.
Ambassador Garcetti emphasized that the US will continue to invest in expanding visa operations and strengthening the team. The aim is to find innovative solutions that streamline the visa process, such as reducing the need for in-person interviews. This will enable consular teams worldwide to assist in processing visas for the growing number of Indian travelers.
Both India and the US are making efforts to improve the visa process. During his recent visit to the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that Indian professionals can renew their work visas without traveling abroad. He also revealed plans to open new US consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, further prioritizing ease of visa renewal for H1B visa holders.
Overall, these developments demonstrate the commitment of both countries to fostering smoother visa processes and strengthening bilateral ties.