Faster processing and interview waivers for US visas, USCIS latest visa updates

Highlights: Faster processing and interview waivers for US visas

• The United States has expanded the scope of its visa waiver programme.
• Applicants with "clearance received" or "department authorization" status on their previous visas can use visa waiver process.
• The waive off is authorized for travelers applying for F, H-1, H-3, H-4, non-blanket L, M, O, P, Q, and academic J visas.
• Consular officers may request an in-person interview for additional information.

*Want to work in Canada? Check Your Eligibility Now with Canada Skilled Immigration Points Calculator!

US to shorten the Visit visa wait time

The US has planned to cut short the wait times for Visit visas for Indians by waiving the interview process. Applicants with "clearance received" or "department authorization" status on their previous visas can apply for a new visa using the interview waiver process.

Those applicants are eligible for the interview waivers who are renewing any visa in the same category with expiration within 48 months.

*Searching for jobs in Canada? Avail Y-Axis job search services to find the right one.

Visas that can waive off in-person interview requirement

The Department of State has allowed the consular officers to forgo the in-person interview requirement for F, H-1, H-3, H-4, non-blanket L, M, O, P, Q, and academic J visas.

However, waive-off is not allowed for applicants who got a refusal previously and didn't get waived or overcome subsequently. Also, the consular officers might call applicants for an in-person interview for additional information.

Nonimmigrant Visa Type	Appointment Wait Time
	Delhi	Mumbai	Chennai	Kolkata	Hyderabad
Interview Required Students/ Exchange Visitors (F, M, J)	39 Calendar Days	38 Calendar Days	38 Calendar Days	38 Calendar Days	38 Calendar Days
Interview Required Petition-Based Temporary Workers (H, L, O, P, Q)	1 Calendar Day	16 Calendar Days	162 Calendar Days	21 Calendar Days	137 Calendar Days
Interview Required Crew and Transit (C, D, C1/D)	24 Calendar Days	21 Calendar Days	72 Calendar Days	400 Calendar Days	Same Day
Interview Required Visitors (B1 visa, B2 visa)	359 Calendar Days	409 Calendar Days	322 Calendar Days	400 Calendar Days	339 Calendar Days
Interview Waiver Students/ Exchange Visitors (F, M, J)	3 Calendar Days	2 Calendar Days	1 Calendar Day	1 Calendar Day	11 Calendar Days
Interview Waiver Petition-Based Temporary Workers (H, L, O, P, Q)	1 Calendar Day	2 Calendar Days	4 Calendar Days	135 Calendar Days	143 Calendar Days
Interview Waiver Crew and Transit (C, D, C1/D)	39 Calendar Days	2 Calendar Days	3 Calendar Days	170 Calendar Days	Same Day
Interview Waiver Visitors (B1 visa, B2 visa)	3 Calendar Days	2 Calendar Days	1 Calendar Day	170 Calendar Days	15 Calendar Days

Applicants applying for the waiver must allow three weeks from accepting a passport at the Visa Application Center until the passport is received.  

Need step-by-step guidance to apply for Canada PR visa? Talk to Y-Axis, leading Overseas Immigration Consultant in Australia.
For recent Canada immigration updates, follow Y-Axis Canada Immigration News page.

Canada PNP Immigration results for April 2023, issued 6,174 invitations

Express Entry rounds of invitations in April 2023: 7,000 ITAs issued

Also Read: Canada PNP Draws: Alberta, BC, Manitoba, PEI, Quebec invited 2,847 candidates in 4th week of April
Web Story: Faster processing and interview waivers for US visas, USCIS latest visa updates