For travelers planning to visit the United States for business or leisure, the US Consulate in Kolkata is proving to be the quickest option for obtaining a visa. While consulates in other Indian cities are experiencing significant delays—some with wait times as long as 477 days—Kolkata stands out with a processing time of just 24 days.
Over the past year, the US government has taken various steps to address the growing visa backlog. In 2023, a record 1.4 million visas were issued to Indian applicants, and visitor visa appointment wait times have decreased by 75%. However, the wait times for B1/B2 visas, which allow for business and tourist visits, still vary widely across the country. Kolkata leads with the shortest wait, while Chennai lags behind with the longest.
In addition to tackling tourist visa delays, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a second lottery selection for H-1B visa applicants for the fiscal year 2025. This second chance aims to meet the regular cap allocation after the initial lottery in March 2024 fell short. However, USCIS clarified that there will be no second selection for the advanced degree exemption, as the first round met the necessary quota for that category.
Source: Business Today
