The United States will increase visa appointment slots by one million next year, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Wednesday. This expansion aims to accommodate the growing demand for travel as the U.S. prepares for major international events, including the FIFA World Cup, the Olympics, and rugby championships.
“This increase is in addition to the record number of appointments we had this past year,” Blinken said, noting recent improvements in processing applications. In fiscal year 2024 (FY24), a record 11.5 million visas were issued, including 8.5 million visitor visas. This marks a 10 percent increase from the previous year, with the median wait time for first-time visitor visa interviews now under 60 days.
Ongoing Concerns About Visa Wait Times
Visa wait times have been a persistent issue for travelers, particularly due to the disruptions caused by the pandemic. Blinken reported that the current median wait time for first-time visitor visa interviews has decreased to under two months, reflecting a 60 percent improvement from the peak delays experienced during the pandemic.
However, travelers from India continue to face significant challenges. The wait times for tourist visas in India remain high, averaging between 300 and 320 days depending on the U.S. consulate or embassy. While this is an improvement from over 900 days in 2021, the lengthy processing times still create obstacles for many applicants.
Visa Wait Times for Indian Applicants
U.S. visitor visas include B-1 visas for business and B-2 visas for tourism, which allow for temporary stays in the U.S. Wait times for interviews vary across U.S. consulates in India. As of November 1, 2024, the following wait times are reported:
Interview-required B1/B2 visas: First-time applicants usually need to attend an in-person interview, unless they qualify for a waiver. Current interview wait times are:
New Delhi: 94 days
Mumbai: 463 days
Hyderabad: 437 days
Kolkata: 499 days
Chennai: 477 days
Interview-waiver B1/B2 visas: Applicants who meet certain criteria, such as a recent visa history or age requirements, may renew their visas without an interview. The wait times for these visas are:
New Delhi: 214 days
Kolkata: 122 days
Costs and Concerns in the Indian Travel Industry
The cost of a U.S. B1/B2 visa for Indian citizens is $185 (approximately ₹15,540). This fee is non-refundable.
The Indian tourism sector has expressed concerns over the extended visa wait times and the lack of direct flights between the two countries. At a tourism summit in August 2024, Suman Billa, additional secretary of the Union Tourism Ministry, remarked, “While traveler numbers are promising, we have not fully capitalized on our tourism potential.” He emphasized that, despite being valid for 10 years, the current visa process is “cumbersome and tiresome,” calling for a more efficient approach.
Flight Options Between India and the U.S.
Flight options between India and the U.S. have been affected by the Ukraine conflict, which has led many Western airlines to avoid Russian airspace. This change has resulted in longer flight routes and fewer nonstop options, leaving United Airlines and American Airlines with only one daily flight each between Delhi and New York.
In contrast, Air India, which continues to fly over Russian airspace, has expanded its direct flight network. It is now the largest operator of nonstop flights between India and the U.S., offering 51 weekly flights connecting major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore to U.S. destinations such as New York, Newark, Washington, Chicago, and San Francisco. The airline plans to add flights to Los Angeles and Dallas to its winter schedule.
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