US Visa Appointments In India Are Now Open For All Categories, But…

The US Embassy in India has been unable to accommodate travellers before their scheduled departure dates due to a high number of visa applicants.

"Visa appointments are now open for all categories! But because of high demand, wait times remain significant," it tweeted on September 27. Its website has clarified that these are not "placeholder appointments".

For B1-B2 visitor visas, first-time interviewees are placeholders who are not eligible for interview waivers. Due to the lack of interviews, the placeholder positions are invalid and will be canceled.

The US Visa appointment scheduled recently in the past few months is not a placeholder appointment. Booking 2 to 3 months in advance may result in a placeholder appointment that may be canceled.

In India, certain types of visa applicants will not have to appear in person for an interview until Dec 2022, according to the US Embassy. This authorization, however, does not apply to applicants who have already been rejected but whose rejection has not been overturned or waived. Adjudicating consular authorities may request face-to-face interviews if more information is needed.

Even though there are a few exceptions, all foreign nationals traveling by flight to the US as of November 8, 2021, must be wholly vaccinated against COVID-19 and present documentation of vaccination status before boarding an aircraft.