Visa Warning : Expiry Possible Despite Payment

Visa Warning : Adjustments that were implemented to assist travellers during the pandemic are currently being reversed by the United States. Among these changes was the extension of visa application validity periods.

The U.S. Embassy in India recently issued a cautionary statement advising individuals to review their receipts. If you submitted your visa application fee prior to October 1, 2022, and have not yet scheduled an interview, it is recommended that you do so promptly.

Although certain extensions were granted during the pandemic, these extensions are set to expire on September 30. Typically, visa applicants have a 365-day window from the date of payment to arrange an appointment before the payment becomes invalid.

Visa Warning & H-1B Visa Holders

India and the United States have been collaborating to streamline the visa application process. In June, Prime Minister Modi unveiled a proposal that would allow H-1B visa holders to renew their visas without the requirement to leave the country.

Additionally, the United States is planning to establish two new consulates in India, one in Bengaluru and the other in Ahmedabad. According to data from the US Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, over 150,000 Indians have visited the United States in 2023 so far.

During the peak summer travel month of June, Indians ranked as the second-largest group of international visitors to the United States, trailing only behind the UK, despite the high airfares and delays in visa processing.

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