US B1/B2 visa wait time exceeds 1 yr for Indians: Report
Regardless of the US absolutely resuming visa operations, demand for vacationer and enterprise (B1/B2) visas continues to far exceed accessible appointment slots, creating main backlogs throughout US consulates in India.
In response to an Aviation Information report, wait occasions have hit important ranges, stretching from 7.5 to 13.5 months in Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. Chennai has the longest delay, at 13.5 months, inflicting many to overlook pressing occasions.
These extended delays are disrupting journey for household features, weddings, enterprise occasions, and even emergencies. Precedence appointments stay restricted, providing little aid even in pressing circumstances.
The report quoted a homemaker making an attempt to journey to New York for a marriage, who stated the earliest accessible slot was solely in March subsequent yr, properly after the occasion.
The scenario is analogous in Delhi and Mumbai, the place wait occasions have exceeded 9 months, making well timed entry to B1/B2 visa appointments more and more tough for candidates nationwide.
Enterprise professionals affected
Enterprise travellers are among the many worst hit.
With no clear or predictable appointment system, candidates are left checking the portal repeatedly with out success, making journey planning extraordinarily tough.
Whereas basic candidates face year-long waits, restricted precedence slots are primarily allotted to emergency circumstances and scholar visa classes.
Faheem Sheikh, Chairman of the Journey Brokers Federation of India (AP and Telangana), instructed Aviation Information that the majority summer season precedence appointments are being given to F1 scholar visa candidates getting ready for the upcoming tutorial yr within the US.
US broadcasts visa restrictions on journey companies in India
The US on Monday introduced visa restrictions on homeowners, executives, and senior officers of Indian journey companies accused of knowingly facilitating unlawful immigration to the USA.
The State Division acknowledged that Mission India’s Consular Affairs and Diplomatic Safety Service work each day throughout the embassy and consulates to establish and goal these concerned in unlawful immigration, human smuggling, and trafficking.
It added that these visa restrictions are being imposed to disrupt networks that facilitate unlawful immigration and that the US will proceed taking related actions to chop off such operations.
The Division emphasised that US immigration coverage goals each to warn international nationals concerning the risks of unlawful immigration and to carry accountable those that violate the legislation, together with facilitators of unlawful entry.
This visa restriction coverage is international and applies even to people eligible for the Visa Waiver Program.
When requested for particulars concerning the journey companies or people affected, a US embassy official in New Delhi declined to supply particular info.
