US announces new visa initiatives for Indians to reduce wait times for first-time applicants

The United States has announced new visa initiatives for Indians, including greater strength of visa staff across the country to reduce wait times for first-time visa applicants.

As part of this initiative, the United States opened consular operations across the country to accommodate applicants who require an in-person visa interview. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in profound reductions in the U.S. visa processing capacity, and many of its embassies and consulates were at times only able to offer emergency services.