Want an urgent B1/B2 visa: Here’s how TCN processing can reduce wait time 

The wait time for a US visa can be daunting for applicants from countries such as India. 

The recent data suggests that the US visa wait period has dipped below a year in most Indian consulates, barring Chennai. Mumbai and Kolkata have seen wait times drop to 332 and 357 days, respectively, while Chennai applicants still face a wait of 680 days for B1/B2 visa appointments. The New Delhi US Embassy boasts the shortest wait time, with applicants having to wait just 247 days for tourist and business visa appointments.

Some of the measures that USCIS has taken to reduce visa time is to allow applicants to utilize the Third Country National (TCN) visa processing facility. Here are the steps to apply for a US visa through a third country:

1. Research Eligibility: Before initiating the TCN process, applicants should verify their eligibility and ensure they meet the requirements for applying in a third country. They should also check the US consulate’s website in the intended third country for specific instructions and requirements.
2. Choose a Third Country: Select a country with shorter visa wait times and easier appointment availability. Applicants should consider factors like travel costs, visa requirements for the third country, and potential language barriers.
3. Schedule an Appointment: Create an account on the US Department of State’s website and follow the instructions to schedule a visa appointment at the US consulate in the chosen third country. Keep in mind that appointment availability may vary between consulates.
4. Complete the DS-160 Form: Fill out the DS-160 form online for the appropriate visa category (B1/B2 in this case) and select the US consulate in the third country as the location for the interview.
5. Pay the Visa Fee: Pay the required visa application fee, following the payment instructions for the specific US consulate in the third country.
6. Prepare Supporting Documents: Gather all necessary supporting documents, including a valid passport, DS-160 confirmation page, appointment confirmation, visa fee receipt, and any additional documents required by the US consulate in the third country.
7. Attend the Visa Interview: Travel to the third country and attend the visa interview at the US consulate. Applicants should be prepared to explain why they are applying in a third country instead of their home country.
8. Collect the Visa: If the visa is approved, follow the US consulate’s instructions in the third country to collect it or mail it to a local address.

Applying through a third country does not guarantee visa approval or a shorter wait time. Applicants should carefully weigh the risks and benefits of the TCN process and consider consulting with an immigration expert if necessary.

Some other measures that USCIS has taken to reduce waiting time for Indian applicants of B-1/B-2 visas: 

1. Increased staffing: relocating and hiring more staff for visa processing offices in India to handle the high volume of applications more efficiently.
2. Special interview sessions: Organizing additional “special interview days,” including weekends and holidays, to accelerate visa processing and reduce backlogs.
3. Remote processing: Expanding remote processing capabilities to streamline visa application reviews and interviews.
4. TCN: Third Country National (TCN) visa processing, allowing applicants to obtain visas from US consulates in countries other than their home country.