AgenciesIndians who have applied for US student or visitor visas overseas in countries such as Vietnam, Thailand and even European countries like Germany, to bypass long interview waitlists at home, now have another hurdle in front of them.
As per the latest Department of State (DoS) directive issued on September 6, US has mandated that non-immigrant visas such as visitor (B1/ B2), employment (H-1B and O-1) and student (F1) can be applied only from the respective country where the applicants reside or are citizens of, with immediate effect.
This implies that Indians who had planned to fast-track their visa process by applying from other countries, but have not yet done so, will now be required to submit their applications exclusively in India.
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The move is part of a broader set of stricter immigration measures introduced by US President Donald Trump.
"Effective immediately, the department of state has updated instructions for non-immigrant visa applicants... (they) should schedule visa interview appointments at the US embassy or consulate in their country of nationality or residence," the state dept said Saturday. This applies worldwide.
Leading travel agents recalled Indians used to travel to not only nearby countries but even distant ones like Germany for B1/B2 interviews from 2021 when travel resumed post Covid-19. Two years ago, the US consulate in Frankfurt had set aside NIV interview appointments "specifically for Indian applicants" as interview wait period for B1/B2 visas in India that time was 15-20 months.
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"Indians would travel to Bangkok, Singapore and even Frankfurt for B1/B2 interviews. They would stay there for a week to 10 days, get their passport back from the US consulates there and return to India. We have seen H-1B applicants go to places such as Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) as well as Chiang Mai (Thailand)," said a leading travel agent who did not wish to be named.
But, there's an exception. "Nationals of countries where the US govt is not conducting routine NIV operations must apply at the designated embassy or consulate, unless their residence is elsewhere", said the state department. For instance, the designated locations for Russia are Astana and Warsaw, Islamabad for Afghanistan, and Dubai for Iran.
From last Tuesday (Sept 2), all non-immigrant visa applicants - including applicants under the age of 14 and over the age of 79 - "will generally require an in-person interview with a consular officer" barring a few exceptions, the US state dept said in a July 25 update.
This exception includes "applicants renewing a full validity B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visa... within 12 months of the prior visa's expiration, and who were at least 18-years-old at the time of the prior visa's issuance."
(With TOI inputs)
As per the latest Department of State (DoS) directive issued on September 6, US has mandated that non-immigrant visas such as visitor (B1/ B2), employment (H-1B and O-1) and student (F1) can be applied only from the respective country where the applicants reside or are citizens of, with immediate effect.
This implies that Indians who had planned to fast-track their visa process by applying from other countries, but have not yet done so, will now be required to submit their applications exclusively in India.
ALSO READ: US immigrants now face higher deportation risks. Here's why
The move is part of a broader set of stricter immigration measures introduced by US President Donald Trump.
"Effective immediately, the department of state has updated instructions for non-immigrant visa applicants... (they) should schedule visa interview appointments at the US embassy or consulate in their country of nationality or residence," the state dept said Saturday. This applies worldwide.
Leading travel agents recalled Indians used to travel to not only nearby countries but even distant ones like Germany for B1/B2 interviews from 2021 when travel resumed post Covid-19. Two years ago, the US consulate in Frankfurt had set aside NIV interview appointments "specifically for Indian applicants" as interview wait period for B1/B2 visas in India that time was 15-20 months.
ALSO READ: Indian students in US struggle due to visa restrictions and job crunch
"Indians would travel to Bangkok, Singapore and even Frankfurt for B1/B2 interviews. They would stay there for a week to 10 days, get their passport back from the US consulates there and return to India. We have seen H-1B applicants go to places such as Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) as well as Chiang Mai (Thailand)," said a leading travel agent who did not wish to be named.
But, there's an exception. "Nationals of countries where the US govt is not conducting routine NIV operations must apply at the designated embassy or consulate, unless their residence is elsewhere", said the state department. For instance, the designated locations for Russia are Astana and Warsaw, Islamabad for Afghanistan, and Dubai for Iran.
From last Tuesday (Sept 2), all non-immigrant visa applicants - including applicants under the age of 14 and over the age of 79 - "will generally require an in-person interview with a consular officer" barring a few exceptions, the US state dept said in a July 25 update.
This exception includes "applicants renewing a full validity B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visa... within 12 months of the prior visa's expiration, and who were at least 18-years-old at the time of the prior visa's issuance."
(With TOI inputs)
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