U.S. consulates in India are experiencing significant backlogs in non-immigrant visa appointments for H, L and other employment-based non-immigrant visas.
Foreign nationals seeking a non-immigrant visa are facing wait times of 75 to more than 115 days to secure an appointment in Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi. The delays do not affect B-1/B-2 visitor visas or F-1 student visas.
Demand for U.S. visas has increased over the last several months, but there has been no increase in consular staff at the U.S. mission to India, leading to the current backlog.
Alternatives for Foreign Nationals and Employers
If you are an Indian national with an imminent need to obtain an employment-based non-immigrant visa, you and your U.S. employer should consider the following options:
- Apply at the U.S. consulate in Kolkata. The U.S. consulate in Kolkata currently has a wait time of 13 days for employment-based non-immigrant visa appointments, but that period is likely to increase as foreign nationals with an imminent need to travel book appointments there. If you are seeking an H-1B, individual L-1 or other employment-based non-immigrant visa, you may be able to get an appointment in Kolkata, but you must act quickly because appointment slots are likely to be filled soon. This option is not available to principal applicants for blanket L-1 visas in India, which are under the sole jurisdiction of the U.S. consulate in Chennai. However, blanket L-2 dependants applying separately from the principal non-immigrant may apply in Kolkata.
- Apply at a U.S. consulate outside India as a third-country national (TCN). You and your dependants may be able to secure a TCN visa appointment at a consulate outside India. This may be the only option for blanket L-1 visa applicants with a need to travel to the United States soon. However, there are additional travel costs associated with this option, and you may also need to apply for a foreign visa to the third country.
What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals
The lengthy backlogs mean that Indian employment-based non-immigrantvisa applicants are likely to face delays in beginning their U.S. employment. H and L non-immigrants already in the United States may face delays in international travel and re-entry. The backlogs are likely to increase as the October 1 start date for FY 2017 H-1B cap employment nears.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you are an Indian national with an imminent need to obtain a U.S. employment-based non-immigrant visa, please contact your immigration professional as soon as possible to discuss options.
