New US directive mandates non-immigrant visas must be applied for only from country of nationality or residence
Indians planning to apply for US student or visitor visas from third countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, or European nations like Germany—to bypass long wait times in India—will no longer be able to do so. The US Department of State (DoS) issued a directive on September 6 mandating that applicants must now schedule their interviews only at the US Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence or nationality, reported gujaratsamachar.com.
Backdoor visa route shut down for Indians
The announcement specifies that applicants must provide proof of residence in the country from where they are applying.
The DoS added that those attempting to apply outside their country of nationality or residence should expect significantly longer appointment delays, effectively discouraging such applications
The new rule covers a wide range of non-immigrant visa categories, including visitor visas (B1/B2), student visas (F1), and employment visas (H-1B, O-1).
Applicants must now apply from India
For many Indian students and professionals who had been applying from third countries to avoid massive backlogs at US missions in India, this change means they will now be compelled to book appointments only within India. Those who have not yet applied under the earlier practice will now face the longer wait times that the system was designed to regulate.
