Washington: The path to securing a US visa has become significantly tougher for Indian citizens following new policy changes by the US State Department. Under the revised rules, all non-immigrant visa applicants must now attend interviews only in their country of citizenship or in the nation where they are legally resident, effectively ending the long-standing practice of applying in third countries.
Until now, many Indian citizens had circumvented lengthy wait times at home by securing appointments in nations such as Singapore, Germany, or Thailand. This flexibility allowed business travelers and tourists to fast-track their applications and avoid months of waiting in India. However, the fresh directive will shut down these options, forcing applicants to depend solely on the US consulates in India.
Currently, the wait time for an appointment in India ranges from 3.5 months to nine months, depending on the location. With the new policy funnelling more applicants into Indian consulates, experts fear that processing delays will grow even longer, creating serious hurdles for professionals, students, and families planning travel.
The pressure is expected to be further compounded by another policy that took effect on September 2, requiring in-person interviews for most categories of applicants. The combination of both measures, analysts say, could choke the visa system and impact travel schedules, academic plans, and business engagements for thousands of Indians.
Travel industry representatives have expressed concern, noting that India is one of the largest sources of visitors to the United States. They warn that these changes could discourage tourism and disrupt business travel, affecting bilateral economic ties.
While US officials argue that the reforms are meant to ensure consistency and security in visa processing, critics see the move as an unnecessary barrier that disproportionately burdens Indian travelers. As the wait times stretch further, applicants are bracing for longer planning cycles and higher uncertainty in securing a visa to the United States.