New directive forces Indian applicants to book US visa interviews only in India, ending years of shortcut bookings in Singapore, Germany, and Thailand.
What’s Changed: New US Visa Rule in Effect
The US Department of State has implemented a new visa directive that directly affects Indian non-immigrant visa (NIV) applicants. Effective immediately, all applicants must schedule their US visa interviews only in their country of citizenship or legal residence.
This move officially ends the popular workaround where Indian applicants would secure faster interview slots in countries like Singapore, Germany, or Thailand to avoid long wait times in India.
No More Shortcut Visa Appointments Abroad
According to the official statement:
“Effective immediately, non-immigrant visa applicants should schedule visa interview appointments at the US embassy or consulate in their country of nationality or residence.”
This global rule is part of a broader effort to streamline visa processing and reduce backdoor options that created unequal access to US visas.
How Will This Impact Indian Applicants?
- No more overseas B1/B2 interviews for Indians trying to bypass long queues in India.
- Visa wait times in India already range from 3.5 to 9 months, depending on the city:
- Hyderabad/Mumbai: 3.5 months
- Kolkata: 5 months
- Chennai: Up to 9 months
- The rule could worsen existing backlogs, especially for tourist and business visas.
Why Indians Booked Appointments Abroad Before
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, India’s visa backlog stretched to up to 3 years.
- Many Indians traveled to Germany, Singapore, or Thailand for faster appointments.
- The US embassy in Frankfurt even created interview slots exclusively for Indian B1/B2 applicants in 2022.
Who Is Still Allowed to Apply Outside Their Country?
- Only nationals from countries where the US does not operate regular NIV services, such as:
- Afghanistan, Cuba, Chad, Russia, Iran, and others
- They may apply at designated embassies or consulates elsewhere.
Also In Effect: Mandatory In-Person Interviews
In addition to the new location restriction, the US State Department has:
- Scaled back the Interview Waiver (Dropbox) program
- Made in-person interviews mandatory for most visa categories:
- H, L, F, M, J, E, and O
- Even affects children under 14 and seniors over 79
Indian Travelers Face Tougher Visa Process
With the interview waiver rollback and new location restrictions, Indian applicants now face longer wait times and fewer options to speed up their US travel plans. As demand for US travel surges post-pandemic, this change is set to affect students, tourists, business travelers, and families alike.
