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What has actually happened to US visa appointments in India
Over the past week I have received a flood of messages on Instagram and in the comments asking me one question: how has COVID-19 affected the US visa process in India? Here is the answer as of 14th March 2020. The US embassies and consulates in India have been closed, and all visa appointments scheduled from Monday 16th March onwards have been cancelled. This applies to both immigrant and non-immigrant visas. The US visa process in India is, for now, on hold.
This followed US President Donald Trump declaring a national emergency in the country. One of the direct consequences of that declaration is the suspension of the visa process here in India. Things are moving extremely fast — when I was looking into this the night before, there had been no change to the visa process in India. By the next morning, it was a completely different story. Please check back for updates as the situation develops.
If you already have an appointment booked and have paid your visa fee
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Book a Mock InterviewIf you had an appointment scheduled for March or April and you have already paid your visa fees, you do not need to panic. Once the situation returns to normal and appointment scheduling reopens, you will be able to go back and reschedule your appointment to a later date. Your fees and your application are not lost.
How to use this time productively
I know that many of you are feeling disappointed and frustrated right now. Plans that you have been working towards have been cancelled or pushed back, and that is genuinely hard. But right now, your safety and the safety of your family and friends is what matters most. I am working from home in Bangalore myself — we all have to do our part.
What I would encourage you to do is use this time to prepare thoroughly for your visa interview, so that the moment appointments reopen, you are completely ready to go. You will not be scrambling or rushing — you will be the most prepared person at that visa window. That is a real advantage you can build right now, from home.
Need help with your visa preparation?
Have questions after reading this guide? I’m happy to help.
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