The New Year will offer hope for Indians looking to work and travel in the US. Beginning January 1, 2025, the US Embassy in India will implement new rules for the scheduling and rescheduling of non-immigrant visa appointments to make the process more efficient and minimize waiting periods.
This declaration follows the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unveiling updated regulations to revamp the H-1B visa system, allowing candidates to swiftly address job openings in essential sectors.
Both announcements support Indians and seek to simplify procedures and minimize long wait times for applicants.
“To make sure everyone has a fair chance at getting a visa interview appointment and to reduce wait times, we’re making some changes,” stated the US Embassy in India.
According to the new visa appointment regulations, applicants have the option to change their appointments one time without incurring extra charges.
If they miss the new appointment or require another rescheduling, they must set up a new appointment and pay the application fee once more.
“These changes will make it easier and faster for everyone to get appointments,” the embassy added, urging applicants to attend their scheduled appointments to maintain an efficient process.
“Starting January 1, 2025, you can still schedule your first nonimmigrant visa appointment at the location of your choice. If you need to reschedule for any reason, you will be able to do that one time. However, if you miss your appointment or need to reschedule a second time, you’ll need to book a new appointment and repay your application fee,” the US embassy wrote in an Instagram post.
“Since wait times are long, please make sure you can attend on the date you’ve selected,” the post added.
In different visa categories, including student visas, the waiting periods are similarly extensive: 193 days in Mumbai, 106 days in Chennai, 150 days in Delhi, 143 days in Kolkata, and 115 days in Hyderabad.
