New US Visa System in India Causing Problems for Applicants, Embassy Offers Assistance
The new US visa system in India is causing significant challenges for applicants, particularly in securing appointments. The primary issue stems from complications in the fee payment process, resulting in extended wait times, sometimes up to 1.5 years, for first-time B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) visa applicants. The US embassy in India has acknowledged these difficulties and is offering technical support to address the issues promptly.
Anil Kalsi, a travel agent, points out that the problem centers around the fee payment process, where individuals encounter difficulties logging in with their credentials. The high demand for assistance underscores the urgency of resolving this issue. This technical setback coincides with persistently long wait times for first-time B1/B2 applicants, though it has improved from over two years to approximately 1.5 years. The US consulate in India remains committed to processing one million applications this year and continues to work on reducing the backlog.