Reduction in Waiting Times for Visa Interviews in the United States
By: Univision
For Mexicans applying for tourist or business travel visas, the long wait of between 664 and 847 days for an interview at the U.S. Consulate could significantly decrease in 2024. The Department of State (DOS) assures that interview waiting times will drop to less than 90 days this year.
In a report, the DOS highlights the rapid recovery in visa processing capacity, issuing more non-immigrant visas in fiscal year 2023 than in any year since 2015. The promise extends to B1 and B2 visas, used for business or tourism travel, as well as international student visas.
The agency states that it aims to reduce waiting times for visitor visa applications that require in-person interviews, especially in countries with unprecedented demand. The goal is for more than 90% of overseas posts to have interview waiting times of less than 90 days in 2024.
Current waiting times vary depending on the type of visa and the country. Some examples include:
- Calgary, Canada: 859 days
- Mexico City: 847 days
- Guadalajara, Mexico: 825 days
- Ciudad Juarez, Mexico: 825 days
The DOS explains that estimated times can change weekly, based on workload and staffing. Despite the estimates, they do not guarantee appointment availability. It is emphasized that 40% of the over 10.4 million travelers who received non-immigrant visas in the last year did not require an in-person interview.
Consulted attorneys view the promise of reducing waiting times with optimism, although some urge caution to verify if it will be fulfilled. The reduction in waiting times would be excellent news for those planning to travel to the United States in 2024.
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