US tightens Visa rules: Indian travellers face longer wait times and higher costs

Srinagar, Sept 09: The United States has announced major changes to its non-immigrant visa (NIV) process, which will directly affect Indian applicants, including students, professionals, and tourists.

Under the new rules, applicants can no longer book visa interview appointments in third countries — a practice many Indians relied on to bypass long waiting times at U.S. consulates in India. This change means applicants for B1/B2 (business and tourist), H1-B (work), and student visas must now schedule their interviews exclusively at U.S. missions in India.

Now, Indian applicants must schedule their visa interviews exclusively at U.S. consulates and embassies in India:

With interviews now limited to U.S. consulates within India, applicants are likely to encounter longer wait times and slower processing. As per reports, the recent hike in visa application fees by the U.S. State Department adds to the burden. Beyond the official fee, travellers will also need to account for costs such as transportation and accommodation for in-person interviews, making the process more time-consuming and costly overall.

Impact on Students and Professionals
the new rules are expected to affect Indian students and professionals most significantly. Delays in securing appointments could interfere with university admission timelines or the start of new jobs in the United States.

As per experts, applicants must now plan their visa process well in advance—sometimes several months ahead—to avoid last-minute disruptions to study or work commitments. The U.S. tightening its visa rules signals a shift towards more structured and closely monitored processes.