Indian applicants seeking to renew their American B1/B2 (business/tourism) visas are now encountering extended wait times as the U.S. government has reverted to its pre-COVID policy regarding visa renewals. Under the current regulations, travelers may renew their visas without the necessity of an in-person interview only if their previous visa remains valid or has expired within the last 12 months. This eligibility was temporarily extended to 48 months in November 2022, a response to the significant delays that had seen B1/B2 visa interview wait times in India exceed 999 days over nearly three years.
Despite a reduction in wait times, they continue to be substantial, with current delays reported at over 440 days in Delhi and Mumbai, 436 days in Chennai, 429 days in Hyderabad, and 415 days in Kolkata. As more applicants are now required to attend in-person interviews, it is anticipated that the backlog will increase further. The U.S. embassy has not announced any additional measures to alleviate this situation. Concerns have been voiced by representatives of the travel industry regarding this abrupt policy shift. Anil Kalsi, vice president of the Travel Agents Federation of India, remarked that this change complicates travel for those dependent on renewals, noting the lack of prior notice before the policy was implemented and the scarcity of available interview dates.
