The US has reinstated its pre-Covid policy for same-class visa renewals, reducing the eligibility window for interview waivers from 48 months to 12 months. This change significantly impacts Indian applicants, many of whom now require in-person interviews. With visa interview wait times still exceeding 400 days in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai, the revised policy is expected to further strain the system, creating additional delays for travellers.
Industry experts have expressed concerns over the sudden implementation of the new rule, stating that many applicants were unprepared for the change. Travel Agents Federation of India VP Anil Kalsi highlighted that the prolonged wait times were already a challenge, and the increased demand for interview slots will only worsen the situation. The US embassy has not introduced any immediate measures to mitigate these delays, leaving applicants uncertain about their travel plans.
While some applicants may still qualify for interview waivers under specific conditions, the overall visa processing timeline remains a hurdle. The travel industry believes that long visa wait times, coupled with limited direct flights due to US airlines avoiding Russian airspace, continue to impact India-US travel. These factors have prevented the full recovery of travel between the two countries despite rising demand.
India has now emerged as the second-largest overseas market for US-bound travelers, surpassing pre-pandemic figures. In 2023, over 1.76 million Indians traveled to the US, exceeding the 2019 record of 1.47 million. As travel demand grows, industry leaders are urging authorities to address visa processing delays to ensure smoother access for Indian travellers.