Visa Backlogs Stranding Indian Nationals

Across India, wait times to get an in-person interview for a visa at any U.S. consulate are exceeding a year. Even for cases where the consulate waives the in-person interview, appointments to submit the visa application documents are currently unavailable. This timeline is having negative effects on families and businesses from India and the U.S. alike.

Many Indian nationals are opting to travel to a U.S. consulate in other countries to process their visa application quicker. This option too has its limitations, as other countries require Indian citizens to get a visitor visa to enter. Even Indian nationals currently in the U.S. are avoiding returning to India to avoid the backlog.

This is affecting U.S. businesses with Indian nationals as employees in both India and the U.S. These businesses are struggling to transfer foreign employees to their U.S. offices. Indian employees currently at the U.S. offices are also unable to return to see their families.?

The Department of State is resolving the increased wait times through three solutions. The first solution is hiring more staff at the U.S. consulates. The second solution is adding 100,000 additional appointments for 2023. The last solution is partnering with the Department of Homeland Security in expanding interview waivers for temporary worker and student visa applicants.

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