Largest Economy in the World Policy: Long US Visa Wait Times for Indian Citizens

The United States has implemented a significant change in its visa policy, affecting Indian travellers seeking non-immigrant visas.

As of September 6, 2025, the US government has officially ended the practice of “third-country visa stamping” for non-immigrant visa applicants.

Previously, individuals—such as H-1B workers, students (F1), or tourists (B1/B2)—could get their US visa stamps from consulates in countries other than their own to avoid long wait times.

Under the new policy, applicants must now attend in-person interviews only in their country of citizenship or legal residence. Bookings made in third countries will be canceled, and fees risk being forfeited. Existing appointments remain valid.

US Ambassador to India- Eric Garcetti; Photo- US Embassy and Consulates in India

US Visa Wait Time Exceeds

This policy affects a wide range of applicants, from workers and students to tourists and exchange visitors, particularly from high-demand countries like India, where wait times can exceed 20 months.

Indian applicants are among the most affected by this policy change. Visa wait times earlier this year varied from 3.5 months in Hyderabad and Mumbai to 5 months in Kolkata, and in Chennai, they reached an astounding nine months.

The elimination of third-country visa stamping is expected to worsen the already growing backlog. This restriction may hinder Indian travellers from finding earlier appointment dates, especially for those planning to visit the US on short notice.

Photo: Free photo Flag Identification Travel Passport Usa Visa – Max Pixel

Stricter Interview Requirements

In addition to longer wait times, applicants are now facing more rigorous interview processes. The US government has implemented stricter interview requirements for non-immigrant visa applicants, including those from India.

This change is part of broader immigration measures announced by President Donald Trump. The new policy introduces immediate changes to the non-immigrant visa (NIV) application process, affecting various visa categories such as B1 (business) and B2 (tourist).

These stricter interview requirements may result in increased scrutiny for Indian applicants, potentially leading to higher rejection rates.

Photo: Credits to Creator

Industry Response and Recommendations

The Indian travel and tech industries have expressed concerns over the new visa policy. Many Indian AI startup founders, such as Aravind Jayendran of LatentForce, are facing significant delays in securing B1/B2 visas to travel to the US for important client meetings. These delays pose a major challenge, as current appointment wait times in India range from three-and-a-half to nine months.

To mitigate the impact of these changes, industry experts recommend that applicants plan their visa applications well in advance.

This includes scheduling interviews as early as possible, ensuring all documentation is complete and accurate, and being prepared for potentially longer wait times and more stringent interview processes.

Photo: Digit Insurance

Bottom Line

The recent changes in the US visa policy have introduced significant challenges for Indian travellers.

With the elimination of third-country visa stamping and the implementation of stricter interview requirements, applicants are facing longer wait times and increased scrutiny.

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