So, there is uncertainty at each and every step and no one can predict realistic timelines,” says Joshi.
“After submission, sometimes consulates take more than two weeks to return the passport with the visa stamped.
Even after the submission of documents, the processing of US visitor visas is, in some cases, taking more than two weeks. And that adds to the uncertainty, adds Joshi. Sometimes dates are released by the embassy and consulates on their website but they get filled up within minutes and one has to be really lucky to check at that time and be able to book slots on those dates. Our clients, who need to travel for urgent business matters, are getting restless,” says Mumbai-based immigration attorney Vipul Joshi from the law firm Sudhir Shah and Associates. Even for renewals of visas, for which no interviews are required, the dates for submitting documents are available only after several months. There are no interview dates for those who want to apply for fresh B1-B2 visitor visas. “So far, the US embassy and consulates are giving dates only for renewals of visitor visas. And like Mishra, there are hundreds of Indians – including parents who want to visit their children studying in US universities, families who want to visit their kin and executives who want to travel for business meetings and conferences – who have been hit by the long delays in getting US visitor visas since the pandemic. His business is being badly hit and he needs to travel on an urgent basis but with the US embassy and consulates in India unable to give dates for visa interviews or dropbox appointments for the next couple of months, there’s nothing that he can do but wait. However, Mishra’s US B1-B2 visitor visa expired in August 2021 and though he is eligible for a visa interview waiver he has received a ‘dropbox’ appointment to submit the documents required for the renewal only in November 2022 there are no dates available earlier. Mishra needs to visit the US branch so that he can hire another person for the job and the handover of responsibilities has to be carried out in his presence. The manager of the US branch, an American citizen, now wants to retire. The company has a subsidiary in New Jersey in America which was set up eight years back. Amit Mishra (name changed) is the CEO of his family business in Delhi.
0 kommentar(er)
