U.S. Embassy in India Introduces New Visa Appointment Guidelines
New Delhi, April 17, 2025 — In an important update for visa applicants, the U.S. Embassy in India has announced revised guidelines for scheduling visa appointments, effective immediately for all new bookings. The changes are aimed at improving the efficiency of the application process and minimizing delays for travelers seeking to visit the United States.
One of the key updates is the introduction of a mandatory 72-hour gap between biometric and visa interview appointments. Under the new rules, applicants can no longer schedule these two appointments on back-to-back days. Instead, there must be a minimum three-day interval between the biometric appointment and the subsequent visa interview.
This guideline applies across all visa categories, including tourist, student, business, and employment-based visas. Applicants scheduling new appointments must take this into consideration and ensure they leave enough time between the two sessions to meet the new requirement.
The Embassy has clarified that this rule does not affect existing appointments. If you have already scheduled your biometric and interview appointments with a 2–3 day gap, you are not required to make any changes. Those with appointments booked before this announcement can proceed as scheduled.
According to officials, this move is part of the U.S. Embassy's ongoing efforts to streamline operations and reduce wait times for visa applicants. By spacing out the appointments, the Embassy aims to manage applicant flow more effectively and provide better service.
Visa applicants are advised to plan accordingly and review their schedules carefully when booking appointments. For the latest updates and detailed instructions, visit the official U.S. Embassy website.
This change marks another step in the broader efforts by U.S. consular services in India to enhance visa processing efficiency and improve the overall experience for travelers.
