Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India have not yet resumed regular processing of most visa categories but continue to expand services as local conditions and resources allow.

Nonimmigrant Visas

Cancellation of March 2021 nonimmigrant visa appointments: Due to scheduling changes, the Nonimmigrant Visa Unit of the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi is unable to honor appointments scheduled for March 2021. If a visa interview is cancelled, the applicant will receive an SMS and/or email notification and may reschedule at their convenience. Applicants whose visa appointments were cancelled are required to reschedule both of their existing appointments, to include their appointment at the Visa Application Center for their biometric enrolment and their in-person interview at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi.

Extension of Validity of MRV Fee

The consulate has extended the validity of applicants’ payments (known as the MRV fee) until December 31, 2021, to allow all applicants who were unable to schedule a visa appointment as a result of the suspension of routine consular operations an opportunity to schedule and/or attend a visa appointment with the already paid fee.

Employment-Based Visas

The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India are now accommodating a limited number of employment-based visa appointments, including H, L, and O visas.

On December 31, 2020, the President signed a proclamation extending Presidential Proclamation (P.P.) 10052 through March 31, 2021.

P.P. 10052 suspends the entry to the United States of certain nonimmigrant visa applicants who present a risk to the U.S. labor market during the economic recovery following the novel coronavirus outbreak. Specifically, the suspension in P.P. 10052 applies to applicants for H-1B, H-2B, and L-1 visas; J-1 visa applicants participating in the intern, trainee, teacher, camp counselor, au pair, or summer work travel programs; and any spouses or children of covered applicants applying for H-4, L-2, or J-2 visas. The consulate confirmed on their website that it will continue to adjudicate in accordance with the court order enjoining the government from enforcing section 2 of P.P. 10052 against named plaintiffs and members of the plaintiff associations.

Drop Box Applications:

Consular sections across India are now accepting drop box applications for renewals of all nonimmigrant visa categories at Visa Application Centers across India.

Donoso & Partners, a leading immigration law firm based in Washington, D.C., will continue to report on developments regarding the immigration law and policy through our news section of donosolaw.com.