The United States has announced a considerable relaxation of the visa process for foreigners, including a waiver for interviews for business and tourist visas, skilled worker visas, and student visas. This move is intended to reduce visa wait times at US embassies and consulates.
The US has since made it possible to renew a US visa without appearing in person by introducing the "Dropbox" service. This program is being extended to a wide range of visa classifications, including B1 and B2 visas that may have expired within the previous four years. Applicants can use the drop box facility and qualify for an interview waiver.
The expected
wait time for a non-immigrant visa interview appointment at the US Embassy in some countries is now 925 days. The wait time for interview waiver cases in the same
category is 291 days. However, although they might be asked for biometrics,
applicants for student visas who have previously visited the US on tourist
visas can still request an interview waiver.
To reduce the backlog of visa applications brought on by COVID, the US Embassy has taken action, including sending out drop boxes and hiring more employees at the embassies which have drastically reduced the waiting period. It is anticipated by the embassy officials that by the summer of 2023, the number of visas being processed will be back to the pre-pandemic level of about 1.2 million per year.
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