Indian B1/B2 Visa

Context:

Indian applicants renewing their U.S. B1/B2 (business/tourism) visas now face increased wait times after the U.S. government reinstated its pre-COVID renewal policy.

Key Changes & Implications

• Renewal Eligibility Rule Reinstated
  • Previously, visas could be renewed without an interview if they had expired within the last 48 months (temporary COVID-era policy introduced in Nov 2022).
  • Now, this eligibility period has reverted to 12 months, limiting the number of applicants qualifying for interview waivers.
• Impact on Visa Processing Times
  • Though wait times have reduced from the peak of 999+ days, they remain lengthy:
    • New Delhi & Mumbai – Over 440 days
    • Chennai – 436 days
    • Hyderabad – 429 days
    • Kolkata – 415 days