U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India recently announced that they are going to reopen and resume certain visa applications starting August 17th. It includes the US embassy in New Delhi and consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. However, not all visa services will be offered at this point. Read this blog carefully to see if the visa service that you are looking for is going to be provided.
We are pleased to announce that consular sections at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and our Consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata will begin processing of student and academic exchange visitor visa applications on a limited basis on August 17.
U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India
Contents
- Student (F) and exchange visitor (J) appointment
- H, L, and certain J visa appointment
- Routine visa services
Student (F) and exchange visitor (J) appointment
The US embassy in India proclaimed that “Student visas are a high priority, and we will make every effort to assist student visa applicants in a timely fashion, while keeping our customers and staff safe.” According to the reopening plan, US embassy and consulates in India will prioritize appointment requests that were received prior to August 12. New students who didn’t make an appointment before August 12th, therefore would like to make a new appointment should keep their eyes on the website to see available dates. However, students should check their class start date and make sure that they are not scheduling an appointment more than three weeks prior to the semester start date. The bottom line appears that if you are planning to attend in-person classes for Spring 2021, check the academic calendar from your college website. The earliest date that you can schedule a visa appointment will be three weeks before the class start date.
We will first process emergency student and exchange visitor appointment requests received prior to August 12 and then offer public appointments. We will refresh appointments as we have availability, generally two weeks in advance. Prospective students and exchange visitors should schedule an appointment no more than three weeks prior to their class start date.
U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India
H, L, and certain J visa appointment
Back in June, certain work visas including H-1B, H-2B, L, and certain J categories were suspended to enter the U.S. in the face of a high unemployment rate. Then, there were exceptions in which you can find the details below. The bottom line is that applicants who qualify for these exceptions can schedule the appointment. To do so, go to U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India and follow the steps.
Related blog post 1: Trump H1B Visa suspension 6/24~12/31 2020
Related blog post 2: U.S. embassy reopening date and travel exceptions
Under the June 22 Presidential Proclamation, the Department of State temporarily ceased issuance of H-1B, H-2B, L, and certain J nonimmigrant visas, and their derivative visa categories for family members, apart from exceptions as described in the Proclamation. However, these applicants may qualify for one of the national interest exceptions announced on August 12: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/exceptions-to-p-p-10014-10052-suspending-entry-of-immigrants-non-immigrants-presenting-risk-to-us-labor-market-during-economic-recovery.html. The Department of State may also issue H-4, L-2, and J-2 visas to otherwise qualified derivative applicants who qualify for a national interest exception, such as those seeking to join a principal applicant currently in the United States.
U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India
Routine visa services
The reopening plan says that the U.S. embassy and consulates in India will remain closed for routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services. Thus, visa applicants other than F, J, H, and L, will have to wait longer to receive visa services that they are looking for.
This being said, we continue to remain closed for routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services. We will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date.
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If you have an urgent need to travel, please follow the guidance provided at http://cdn.ustraveldocs.com/in/in-niv-expeditedappointment.asp to request an emergency appointment.
U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India
It is nice to hear that the US embassy in India and consulates are gradually opening. Their prioritized visa processing will benefit students from India to obtain the visa and enter the United States next year.
