The United States will be resuming in-person tourist visa appointments from next month, bringing a relief for thousands of families who have been eagerly waiting to meet relatives and friends living in that country.
“We are resuming routine in-person tourist visa appointments in September 2022. Previously, scheduled placeholders have now been cancelled. Applicants whose placeholder appointments were cancelled may now re-enter the scheduling system to book regular appointments,” the US embassy said in a statement.
Though the US has been fast tracking study and work-related visas, those intending to travel on tourist visas have had to wait due to the inability to get an appointment anytime this year or even next year.
In June, the US government lifted the requirement for international air travelers to take a COVID-19 test within a day before boarding their flights, easing one of the last remaining government mandates meant to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Travel agent Joydeep Mukherjee told ToI that he had scores of clients waiting for the US visa. “Only if there is an urgent travel requirement is there a possibility but the applicant has to convince the visa authorities about the exigency. Otherwise there is an odd slot that is opening up at odd hours,” he said.
Germany, too, has not been issuing Schengen visas or short term (up to 90 days) travel visas while the wait time for Canadian visas is currently six to 11 months. The UK and Switzerland have managed to streamline the processing and reduce the wait period.
