The US is following through on its commitment to open a consulate in Bengaluru, India in January 2025. US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti has announced this. The US had earlier said it would open two new consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad.
This is expected to increase bilateral trade and cooperation and strengthen Bengaluru’s position as a global hub of commerce and technology.
What are the appointment rules for the new visa?
According to media reports, from January 1, 2025, the US Embassy in India will implement new rules for scheduling and rescheduling non-immigrant visa appointments. Applicants will be allowed to schedule their appointment once without any additional fees. If you miss the rescheduled appointment or need another rescheduling, you will have to book a new appointment and pay the application fee again.
“These changes will make it easier and faster for everyone to get an appointment,” the embassy said in a statement. “We encourage applicants to attend their scheduled appointments to keep the process efficient and fair for everyone.”
Problem of waiting too long for US visa
Wait times for US visa appointments for Indian applicants remain long despite efforts to reduce delays. Till now, applicants seeking B1/B2 visitor visas had to face varying waiting periods at consulates. In Mumbai it is 438 calendar days, in Chennai it is 479 calendar days, in Delhi it is 441 calendar days, in Kolkata it is 436 calendar days and in Hyderabad it is 429 calendar days.
The situation is relatively good for applicants eligible for interview waivers for visitor visas. The waiting time in Delhi is 21 days and in Kolkata is two days. For those applying as third-country nationals – people who want to obtain a US visa from a consulate outside their home country – the wait time is also longer.
In Abu Dhabi it is 388 days and in Dubai it is 351 days. The US processed a record 1.4 million (14 lakh) visas for Indian applicants in 2023, reducing visitor visa wait times by 75 percent. The challenges of the visa system have led to renewed demand.
