Appointments primarily for renewals. No new B1/B2 appointments for visitors, including parents until May
With the US opening up travel to visitors from India, there has been an increase in queries about the possibility of getting a B1/B2 or visitor visa to the United States.
A lot of Indian Americans realized during the pandemic that even though Covid-19 paused the travel, it was assuring for the families who had the visas stamped for their relatives back in India.
With consulates closed for a long time and limited appointment slots, people found it more and more important to have their visas ready and stamped in case of an emergency trip.
Read: US eases restrictions on travel from India from Nov. 8 (October 26, 2021)
While the fear of new variant Omicron looms large and the uncertainty it may bring along to global travel continues, for now, Indians can be relieved to hear that after a long pause, B1/B2 visitor visa appointments will be opening in January and will continue until May.
However, there might still be some more wait for those looking to get a new US visitor visa. As most of these appointments beginning January will be primarily Dropbox appointments for renewals of B1/B2.
A lot of Indian families have been looking ahead to be united with their families. Hyderabad based T. Rama says, “We lost our close relatives to Covid. Both my sister and brother are settled in the US and have been inviting us so that we can be together as a family, but our visas expired a year ago and we haven’t been able to renew it.
“We were waiting for the travel restrictions to be lifted so that we could reunite with our families. However, we are yet to get a slot.”
For those who were looking to get a new visa for parents, the update comes as a tad of a disappointment as US consulates do not plan to give fresh or new B1/B2 appointments for visitors, including parents, during this period.
Read: With travel restrictions set to end, Indians gear up for a post-Diwali US visits (October 15, 2021)
For the Iyer family in Bangalore, this is a tough wait. Valar Iyer says, “Our son shifted to the US three years ago and we have been thinking of visiting them once they feel settled and then the pandemic strikes, upsetting every ones’ plans. We have no idea when, if ever we will be able to undertake this journey.”
But for now, those who are looking at renewing their visas, B1/B2 Visa appointment slots for January to May 2022 will be open in early December.
2 Comments
My b1 b2 visa date was 9 march 2021 cancel reason covid so when I got new date.. Can you replay please
23 march 2020 ko meri b1 b2 visitors visa ki apoiment thi lekin covid 19 ke karan mera inturyu cancell hu va tha, may fir se visa apoiment lena chahta hu to visitors visa ki date milegi