US tightens visa rules for tourists, businesses - longer waits ahead

Renewing a US visa in India has just become harder for many applicants, with wait times likely to stretch further. The US has rolled back a Covid-era relaxation that allowed travellers to renew their visas without an interview if their previous same-class visa had expired within the last 48 months. That eligibility period has now been cut back to 12 months, as it was before the pandemic, according to a report published by Times of India on Thursday.

 

What’s changed?  

 

Before: Since November 2022, travellers could renew a US visa without an interview if their previous visa expired within 48 months.  

 

Now: That window has been reduced to just 12 months, meaning many more applicants will need to book an in-person appointment.  

Impact: More people requiring interviews will add pressure to an already long queue, likely increasing wait times further.  

 

Business Standard was unable to independently verify the update. However, a US embassy official told the publication that the Department of State is conducting a comprehensive review of all visa programmes, as mandated by Executive Order 14161.

 

  Long waiting times remain an issue  

 

The change comes at a time when getting a visa appointment in India is already a lengthy process. The wait time for a B1/B2 (business and tourism) visa interview was over 999 days in 2022. Though it has since reduced, it is still long: 

 

Delhi & Mumbai: Over 440 days  

Chennai: 436 days  

Hyderabad: 429 days  

Kolkata: 415 days  

 

Travellers caught off guard  

 

The sudden rollback has left many applicants scrambling. Anil Kalsi, vice president of the Travel Agents Federation of India, said: “This makes travel difficult for people who were banking on renewal. Since it's announced and is already in effect, a lot of people have been caught unawares. There are anyway no interview dates available (in India) without a long waiting period. Some time should have been provided before the change took effect.”  

 

Who still qualifies for interview-free renewal?  

 

Under certain conditions, travellers can still renew their US visas without an in-person interview. According to a US government website, applicants must:  

 

Be a citizen or lawful resident of India or Bhutan  

Have a previous US visa in the same class as the one they are applying for  

Have a prior visa in the same class that is still valid or expired within the last 12 months  

Have received their most recent visa on or after their 14th birthday  

 

This applies to most visa applicants, except those aged 14 and under or 80 and above.  

 

India-US travel at record highs but challenges remain  

 

Despite these hurdles, travel between India and the US has surged post-pandemic. More than 1.76 million Indians travelled to the US in 2023, surpassing the pre-Covid 2019 high of 1.47 million. India is now the second-largest overseas source market for visitors to the US, behind only the UK.  

 

With the latest visa renewal rule change, Indian travellers heading to the US may now face even longer delays.  Note: Executive Order 14161, signed by US President Trump on January 20, 2025, is titled "Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats." This order mandates federal agencies to enhance immigration screening and vetting procedures to prevent the entry of individuals who may pose threats to national security or public safety. It reinstates vetting standards from the previous Trump administration and requires a comprehensive review of visa and immigration policies to ensure stringent security measures. Key provisions include identifying high-risk countries for potential entry restrictions, strengthening refugee screening, and evaluating visa programmes for potential security vulnerabilities. Additionally, the order mandates stricter oversight of foreign nationals already in the U.S. and calls for measures to promote immigrant assimilation into American society.