US Embassy advices Indians to apply early for visas

With many from India planning to travel to the United States during summer, the American Embassy in New Delhi has advised travellers to apply early for visas so as to avoid delays.

The US Embassy said that it was working to improve the service being provided and meet the demand. The American Consulates in Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai and Bengaluru are also doing the same. “But applicants (seeking visas) should be aware that summer is a peak travel season and there will be delays in getting visa appointments. Travellers should apply early to avoid potential delays,” the US embassy in New Delhi stated in a press release.

The US embassy noted that the applicants across India might have to wait for 30 days or more for a visa interview appointment. “The embassy expects this wait time to continue for at least the next few months,” it added.

The workload for US embassy and the US consulates across India for issue of non-immigrant visas is one of the largest in the world, processing over a million visas a year. The demand for visas to travel to the US has increased by over 60% in the last five years.

The US embassy also reminded the travellers to beware of scams and fraud. “The only way to get a US visa is through official channels. Someone can either apply and have an interview at a US Embassy or Consulate, or if they have had a visa before and meet certain criteria, they may qualify to have their visa renewed. Anyone claiming they can guarantee a visa in exchange for a fee is attempting to defraud you,” said the US embassy. “Applicants should be smart and apply in the right way.”

The consular sections of the US embassy in New Delhi or the consulates across India are currently only able to expedite visa appointments for cases involving genuine emergencies, it added.