Good News!  Many workers and students serving in India on the US diplomatic missions are exempted from in-person interviews through December 31, 2022. This was confirmed by Ajay Jain Bhutoria, South Asian Community Leader and the Advisor for Asian Americans to the US President Joe Biden, after met with the Assistant Secretary of State for South Central Asia, DonalLu.

Who is Eligible for This Expanded Interview Waiver

You are eligible for the expanded interview waiver if you:

• Have been issued any category of the US visa earlier
• Have never been refused the visa
• Have no indication of ineligibility mentioned in visa
• Are a citizen or resident of India!

Note: This waiver is applicable for workers on H-1, H-2, H-3, and individual L visas; students with F, M, and academic J visas; and people with culture and extraordinary ability (O, P, and Q visas).

The US embassy in New Delhi and consulate offices in Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai will soon release 20,000 additional dropbox appointments for Spring 2022. This will allow qualified applicants to utilize the new interview waiver authority.

Despite the roadblocks owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, a record number of Indian student visas have been approved by the US. The second wave of the pandemic resulted in a 2-month delay of the visa season. However, in July, after the situation normalized, the consular teams worked dedicatedly to not just match but surpass their pre-Covid workload. 

As per the US mission in India’s statement, more than 55,000 students and exchange visitors are boarding planes to study in the US, and more students are being approved every day. The Ambassador Atul Keshap, Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy, New Delhi went on to affirm that the US mission to India is proud to facilitate the travel and study of Indian students!