Reduce long visa wait time in India: Indian travel industry to the US

Long visa wait times and a lack of direct flight options were listed as the main challenges to travel between India and the US at a tourism and hospitality summit of the two countries organised on Friday.

Although the wait time for US visitor visa appointments in India has decreased from a peak of 999 days at the end of 2021, it still exceeds a year.

The US Department of State website Friday showed wait times for B1/B2 visa interview at 459 days in Chennai; 450 in Mumbai; 407 in Hyderabad; 381 in Kolkata and 379 in Delhi.


The travel industry urged the US to bring this down further.

Travel between the two countries is indeed increasing rapidly, but it could grow even more if it weren't for the dual challenges of long wait times and a lack of direct flights.

Union Tourism Ministry additional secretary Suman Billa said, “Even though the (traveller) numbers are good, we really have not capitalised on the potential that we have from a tourism (between India and US) perspective. Given the way pace at which Indian economy is growing, outbound tourism from here will only increase.”

He also called for simplifying the US visa process, which though issued for 10 years, is “cumbersome and tiresome.”

Jonathan M Heimer, US embassy’s minister counsellor for commercial affairs, said the pace of visa application processing has picked up leading to the issuance of a record number of visas.

“On the backend for the application processing, we've been able to process something like 60% more visas with more or less the same resources. And also we have issued more than 11 lakh visas in the last year, which for us, is a record and that’s just going to continue to go up that number," Heimer said.

Western airlines, including American carriers, are not overflying Russian airspace since the Ukraine war. Due to this the India routes for nonstops by them have become longer. As a result, United and American have only a daily flight between Delhi and New York.

Air India, which overflies Russia, is the largest operator of nonstops between India and the US with 51 weekly direct flights between destinations like New York, Newark, Washington, Chicago and San Francisco from Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. While no one knows when Russian airspace will be used by western airlines, AI is going to Los Angeles and Dallas to its network this winter.

Travelling to the US? Find out which visa you need

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Visiting the United States has become more accessible, but understanding the array of available visas and determining eligibility remains a complex task.

While the H-1B, student, and tourist visas are widely known, lesser-known visas might better suit specific needs.

Here's a breakdown to help you identify the right visa based on your purpose:

Visiting the United States has become more accessible, but understanding the array of available visas and determining eligibility remains a complex task. While the H-1B, student, and tourist visas ar..

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- Non-immigrant visa for temporary pleasure or tourism.
- Suitable for visiting family, attending special events, and ceremonies.

- Non-immigrant visa for temporary pleasure or tourism.- Suitable for visiting family, attending special events, and ceremonies.

*H-1B Visa: For professionals in occupations requiring specialized knowledge. Sponsored by a U.S. employer

*H-2A and H-2B Visas: Allow employers to bring foreign nationals for temporary agricultural and nonagricultural jobs. (Indians aren't eligible)

*H-3 Visa: Available for trainees.

*H-1B Visa: For professionals in occupations requiring specialized knowledge. Sponsored by a U.S. employer *H-2A and H-2B Visas: Allow employers to bring foreign nationals for temporary agricultural ..

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F-1 Visa:
- For academic students at accredited institutions.
- Common path to permanent residence.

F-1 Visa:- For academic students at accredited institutions.- Common path to permanent residence.

1. Requires proof of medically necessary treatment.
2. Must show the ability to cover U.S. healthcare costs.
3. Need letters from both home country and U.S. healthcare professionals.

1. Requires proof of medically necessary treatment.2. Must show the ability to cover U.S. healthcare costs.3. Need letters from both home country and U.S. healthcare professionals.

J-1 Visa:
- Common for international medical graduates in U.S. GME programs.
- Can be extended up to seven years.

J-1 Visa:- Common for international medical graduates in U.S. GME programs.- Can be extended up to seven years.

E-2 Visa:
- For treaty traders and investors.
- Requires substantial investment in a U.S. entity.

E-2 Visa:- For treaty traders and investors.- Requires substantial investment in a U.S. entity.

L-1 Visa:
- Transfers executives, managers, or specialized knowledge employees.
- Enables foreign businesses to establish a U.S. office.

L-1 Visa:- Transfers executives, managers, or specialized knowledge employees.- Enables foreign businesses to establish a U.S. office.

O Visa:
- For professionals recognized nationally or internationally.
- O-1A for extraordinary ability in sciences, education, business, or athletics.
- O-1B for actors and media professionals.

O Visa:- For professionals recognized nationally or internationally.- O-1A for extraordinary ability in sciences, education, business, or athletics.- O-1B for actors and media professionals.

- Many visas allow holders to bring spouses and dependent children.
- E.g., H-1B holders can bring family on H-4 visas, and L visa holders can apply for L-2 visas.

- Many visas allow holders to bring spouses and dependent children.- E.g., H-1B holders can bring family on H-4 visas, and L visa holders can apply for L-2 visas.

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(With TOI inputs)