U.S. accepts visa applications from third-country to reduce waiting period

The United States has said applicants from third-countries traveling abroad can now get a visa appointment at consulates in their base.
This is to reduce waiting time and delays during visa processing periods in the original countries.

Like Thailand, the U.S. said that its embassy has opened B1/B2 appointment capacity for those who will be in the country in the coming months.

The waiting period in Bangkok for B1/B2 interviews is just 14 days.

The U.S. embassy said in a tweet that “@USEmbassyBKK has opened B1/B2 appointment capacity for Indians who will be in Thailand in the coming months.

“Do you have upcoming international travel? If so, you may be able to get a visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your destination.”

The waiting period for first-time B1/B2 visa applicants in India was close to three years in October 2022.

While the wait time for a student visa (F-1) has stabilised to about 90 days, business and tourist visas.

The B-1 and B-2 wait times remain high, reaching almost two years in most consulates around the country.

In January, the U.S. embassy launched a slew of new initiatives, including scheduling special interviews with first-time applicants and increasing the strength of consular staff, to reduce visa processing delays.

The embassy has also started conducting interviews on select weekend days like Saturday.

The United States government has also implemented remote processing of interview waiver cases for applicants with previous U.S. visas.

There had been growing concerns over the long waiting period for first-time visa applicants