Highlights: Faster processing and interview waivers for US visas
- The United States has expanded the scope of its visa waiver programme.
- Applicants with "clearance received" or "department authorization" status on their previous visas can use visa waiver process.
- The waive off is authorized for travelers applying for F, H-1, H-3, H-4, non-blanket L, M, O, P, Q, and academic J visas.
- Consular officers may request an in-person interview for additional information.
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US to shorten the Visit visa wait time
The US has planned to cut short the wait times for Visit visas for Indians by waiving the interview process. Applicants with "clearance received" or "department authorization" status on their previous visas can apply for a new visa using the interview waiver process.
Those applicants are eligible for the interview waivers who are renewing any visa in the same category with expiration within 48 months.
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Visas that can waive off in-person interview requirement
The Department of State has allowed the consular officers to forgo the in-person interview requirement for F, H-1, H-3, H-4, non-blanket L, M, O, P, Q, and academic J visas.
However, waive-off is not allowed for applicants who got a refusal previously and didn't get waived or overcome subsequently. Also, the consular officers might call applicants for an in-person interview for additional information.
|
Nonimmigrant Visa Type |
Appointment Wait Time |
||||
|
Delhi |
Mumbai |
Chennai |
Kolkata |
Hyderabad |
|
|
Interview Required Students/ Exchange Visitors (F, M, J) |
39 Calendar Days |
38 Calendar Days |
38 Calendar Days |
38 Calendar Days |
38 Calendar Days |
|
Interview Required Petition-Based Temporary Workers (H, L, O, P, Q) |
1 Calendar Day |
16 Calendar Days |
162 Calendar Days |
21 Calendar Days |
137 Calendar Days |
|
Interview Required Crew and Transit (C, D, C1/D) |
24 Calendar Days |
21 Calendar Days |
72 Calendar Days |
400 Calendar Days |
Same Day |
|
359 Calendar Days |
409 Calendar Days |
322 Calendar Days |
400 Calendar Days |
339 Calendar Days |
|
|
Interview Waiver Students/ Exchange Visitors (F, M, J) |
3 Calendar Days |
2 Calendar Days |
1 Calendar Day |
1 Calendar Day |
11 Calendar Days |
|
Interview Waiver Petition-Based Temporary Workers (H, L, O, P, Q) |
1 Calendar Day |
2 Calendar Days |
4 Calendar Days |
135 Calendar Days |
143 Calendar Days |
|
Interview Waiver Crew and Transit (C, D, C1/D) |
39 Calendar Days |
2 Calendar Days |
3 Calendar Days |
170 Calendar Days |
Same Day |
|
3 Calendar Days |
2 Calendar Days |
1 Calendar Day |
170 Calendar Days |
15 Calendar Days |
|
Applicants applying for the waiver must allow three weeks from accepting a passport at the Visa Application Center until the passport is received.
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Web Story: Faster processing and interview waivers for US visas, USCIS latest visa updates