India will soon surpass China in getting the number of US Visas by 2023 and will be ranked two in the issuance f visas after Mexico, according to a senior US embassy official.
“We expect that India will surpass China in getting the number of US visas by next year’s summer. After Mexico, India is expected to rank number 2 in the issuance of US Visas,” a Senior US Embassy official said in New Delhi. The senior US Embassy official announced that they are opening slots in mid-November.
“For various kinds of visas, we would not have much wait time. Each separate category has some wait time,” a senior US Embassy official added.
Upto 1,00,000 slots have been opened by the U.S. for applications of H and L worker visas. “India is a number one priority for Washington right now. We have big categories in students, high-tech workers, tourists, and business,” the official added. “In response to the high demand for employment-based visas, the US Mission to India recently released over 100,000 appointments for H&L workers and their families,” the US embassy in India tweeted.
This was one of the most important guarantees provided by the US delegation after Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar brought up the problem of visa delays with Secretary of State Antony Blinken last month.
The US embassy added that the US Mission had already processed over 160,000 H and L visas in the first nine months of 2022 and would continue to give H and L employees priority for visa appointments as resources permit. Additionally, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has extended through December 31, 2022 the ability of consular officers to waive the in-person interview for the following non-immigrant visa categories: students (F and M visas), temporary agricultural and non-agricultural workers (H-2 visas), and student exchange visitors (Academic J visas). “We recognize the many contributions of international visitors to our communities and campuses. Lastly, the authorization to waive the in-person interview for applicants renewing a visa in the same visa class within 48 months of the prior visa’s expiration has been extended indefinitely,” added to the release.