Wait time for H-1B visas likely to reduce from 2022

The consular officers will now be temporarily authorised to waive in-person interviews for nearly a dozen visa categories like H-1B visas, visas for students, etc.

The United States will allow its consular officers to waive in-person interviews for H-1B and other certain non-immigrant visa applicants through next year to help reduce visa wait times, the State Department said on Thursday.

"The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in profound reductions in the department’s visa processing capacity," it said in a statement. "As global travel rebounds, we are taking these temporary steps to further our commitment to safely and efficiently reduce visa wait times while maintaining national security as our priority."