US Visa Fee : In a crucial announcement, the US Embassy in India issued a stern warning to visa applicants, urging them to act promptly or face potential financial repercussions. If you have applied for a US visa during the past year and have yet to schedule an interview, you need to read this now: schedule your interview before September 30, 2023, or be prepared to pay the visa fee once more.
The embassy emphasized, “Check your receipt! If you paid your visa application fee before October 1, 2022, and have not scheduled an interview yet, book now.” This development comes as the US government withdraws special allowances that were extended to travellers during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic period.
US Visa Fee & Pandemic
During the pandemic, visa applicants experienced exasperatingly long waiting periods for interviews, with some individuals waiting for two or even three years. However, thanks to diligent efforts by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the visa application process has been substantially streamlined, dramatically reducing waiting times. In fact, the United States Embassy in Mumbai proudly announced that there is currently no wait time at all, and they are on the cusp of reaching a significant milestone: one million non-immigrant visas processed.
India and the United States have been collaborating diligently to simplify the visa application process for the multitude of eager applicants. One notable result of this collaboration is the decision to allow H1-B visa holders to renew their visas without the need to leave the United States, a change that has been warmly received by the Indian community. Additionally, the United States has revealed plans to open new consulates in Ahmedabad and Bengaluru, addressing the surging demand for visa services.
The crucial point to note is that the interview itself does not need to take place before September 30, 2023. However, an appointment must be scheduled in the system, even if it is for a date several months into the future.
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