The United States, aiming to accommodate the heightened travel demand anticipated with upcoming global events like the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics, has announced an increase of one million visa appointment slots for 2025. Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared on Wednesday that this rise in visa availability marks a continuation of efforts to boost international travel accessibility.
Record Visa Issuance and Improved Wait Times
In the past fiscal year, the US reached an unprecedented achievement by issuing 11.5 million visas, including 8.5 million visitor visas, resulting in a 10% increase from the previous year. The median wait time for first-time visitor visa interviews has decreased significantly to under 60 days, showing a marked improvement from pandemic figures.
Challenges Remain for Indian Travelers
Despite these advancements, Indian travellers still face considerable delays. Current tourist visa wait times in India range from 300 to 320 days across various US consulates and embassies. Although these figures are an improvement from over 900 days in 2021, they continue to pose significant obstacles for many applicants.
The wait times differ significantly by location:
- New Delhi: Interview-required B1/B2 visas have a wait time of 94 days.
- Mumbai: Applicants face a staggering wait of 463 days.
- Hyderabad: The waiting period is approximately 437 days.
- Kolkata: Travelers endure a wait of about 499 days.
- Chennai: Wait times reach up to 477 days.
For interview-waiver B1/B2 visas:
- New Delhi: A wait of 214 days is typical.
- Kolkata sees shorter waits at approximately 122 days.
Economic Impact on India’s Travel Sector
The cost of obtaining a US B1/B2 visa is $185 (approx. Rs.15,540), which remains non-refundable regardless of outcome. Compounding the issue are limited direct flights and extended wait periods that continue to frustrate India’s tourism industry. Suman Billa, additional secretary at the Union Tourism Ministry, expressed concern over missing lucrative tourism opportunities despite positive traveller numbers.
Efforts by the United States to expand visa slots are expected to benefit Indian travellers considerably; however, challenges persist. Addressing lengthy processing periods remains critical for fostering strong travel exchanges between the two nations.
Flight Options Between India and the US
Due to the ongoing Ukraine conflict, flight paths between India and the United States have been significantly affected, as many Western airlines are steering clear of Russian airspace. This development has resulted in prolonged flight routes and a reduction in nonstop services. Presently, United Airlines and American Airlines maintain just one daily direct flight between Delhi and New York.
Conversely, Air India has continued to fly over Russian territory and has notably increased its direct flight offerings. It now stands as the largest provider of nonstop flights between India and the US. With 51 weekly nonstop flights, Air India’s network connects major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore to various US destinations including New York, Newark, Washington, Chicago, and San Francisco. Additionally, Air India is planning to include Los Angeles and Dallas in its winter flight schedule.
