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Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
US B1/B2 Visa wait times for Indians cross one year; Chennai has the longest wait time
The wait time for US B1/B2 Visa has crossed the mark of one year because of rising demand. Despite the complete resumption of U.S. visa services in India, demand for tourist and business visas (B1/B2) continues to increase but is facing a significant appointment backlogs. As per a recent report from Aviation News, Indian applicants face wait times ranging from 7.5 to 13.5 months across major consulates, including Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. City with longest wait time Chennai of all has reported the longest wait time at 13.5 months. It has caused travellers to miss important personal and professional events. The delays are negatively affecting individuals with urgent travel needs, such as weddings, family gatherings, and business meetings. In fact, securing a timely visa appointment is a challenge in case of emergencies as well. The report highlights the case of a homemaker planning to attend a wedding in New York, who found the next available appointment only in March 2026—well past the event date. Such incidents have been reported across other Indian cities, including Delhi and Mumbai. Business travellers are particularly impacted by this as the unpredictability of the appointment system means applicants must check portals frequently in the hope of finding an available slot, making it nearly impossible to plan travel in advance. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Trend Lets Indians Access Benefits Up to ₹2,00,00,000 India News Learn More Undo As of now, the emergency and student visa categories are given priority, business travellers often find themselves stuck in limbo due to the scarcity of general appointment availability. In a development, the U.S. has also announced new visa restrictions targeting Indian travel agencies accused of facilitating illegal immigration. According to the U.S. State Department, these restrictions apply to owners, executives, and senior officials of travel firms suspected of involvement in human smuggling and immigration fraud. The U.S. embassy emphasized that these actions aim to disrupt illegal immigration networks and hold facilitators accountable. The policy is part of a broader global initiative and applies even to individuals who might otherwise qualify under the Visa Waiver Program. Mission India's Consular Affairs and Diplomatic Security Service are reportedly working daily to identify such individuals and take appropriate actions. However, when asked for specific names or agency details, a U.S. embassy official in New Delhi declined to comment. So for those seeking U.S. B1/B2 visas will now have to face unprecedented delays, with wait times stretching beyond a year in some cities. The situation is compounded by the limited availability of priority slots and the recent crackdown on fraudulent travel agencies, further complicating travel plans for both tourists and business travellers. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
US B1/B2 visa wait time exceeds 1 year for Indians: Report
Despite the US fully resuming visa operations, demand for tourist and business (B1/B2) visas continues to far exceed available appointment slots, creating major backlogs across US consulates in India. According to an Aviation News report, wait times have hit critical levels, stretching from 7.5 to 13.5 months in Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai. Chennai has the longest delay, at 13.5 months, causing many to miss urgent events. These prolonged delays are disrupting travel for family functions, weddings, business events, and even emergencies. Priority appointments remain limited, offering little relief even in urgent cases. The report quoted a homemaker trying to travel to New York for a wedding, who said the earliest available slot was only in March next year, well after the event. The situation is similar in Delhi and Mumbai, where wait times have exceeded nine months, making timely access to B1/B2 visa appointments increasingly difficult for applicants nationwide. Business travellers are among the worst hit. With no clear or predictable appointment system, applicants are left checking the portal repeatedly without success, making travel planning extremely difficult. While general applicants face year-long waits, limited priority slots are mainly allocated to emergency cases and student visa categories. Faheem Sheikh, Chairman of the Travel Agents Federation of India (AP and Telangana), told Aviation News that most summer priority appointments are being given to F1 student visa applicants preparing for the upcoming academic year in the US. The US on Monday announced visa restrictions on owners, executives, and senior officials of Indian travel agencies accused of knowingly facilitating illegal immigration to the United States. The State Department stated that Mission India's Consular Affairs and Diplomatic Security Service work daily across the embassy and consulates to identify and target those involved in illegal immigration, human smuggling, and trafficking. It added that these visa restrictions are being imposed to disrupt networks that facilitate illegal immigration and that the US will continue taking similar actions to cut off such operations. The Department emphasised that US immigration policy aims both to warn foreign nationals about the dangers of illegal immigration and to hold accountable those who violate the law, including facilitators of illegal entry. This visa restriction policy is global and applies even to individuals eligible for the Visa Waiver Program. When asked for details about the travel agencies or individuals affected, a US embassy official in New Delhi declined to provide specific information.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man Plummets to His Death After Clinging to Rope Under Burning Hot Air Balloon During Festival
A man has died after falling from a hot air balloon after it burst into flames during a festival in Mexico The tragedy occurred on Sunday, May 11, during the First Balloon Festival, held as part of the 2025 Enrique Estrada Fair "We urge all municipal authorities to strengthen their verification mechanisms to avoid such risks during the development of their activities and festivities," Secretary General of the Zacatecas government, Rodrigo Reyes Mugüerza, said in a Facebook postA man has died after falling from a hot air balloon that went up in flames during a festival in Mexico. On Sunday, May 11, the Secretary General of the Zacatecas government, Rodrigo Reyes Mugüerza, confirmed on Facebook that an accident had occurred during the First Balloon Festival, held as part of the 2025 Enrique Estrada Fair. "I regret to inform that, during the celebration of the First Balloon Festival, framed by the Fair Enrique Estrada 2025 organized by the city council of this municipality, a person lost his life after a unfortunate incident while on board a hot air balloon," the translated post read. Footage shared by the Aviation News account @fl360aero on X showed the hot air balloon bursting into flames, before lifting off the ground with a person attached to it. The accident occurred around 8 a.m. local time on Sunday morning, around 19 miles from the city of Zacatecas, per the Riviera Maya News. "Immediately, authorities rushed to the scene to provide care and support to the affected people. We have requested the State Prosecutor's Office to carry out the relevant investigations to clarify the facts and disclose responsibilities," Mugüerza said in the Facebook post. "We urge all municipal authorities to strengthen their verification mechanisms to avoid such risks during the development of their activities and festivities," the message concluded. The Associated Press reported that the operator of the balloon had jumped from the burning aircraft to his death after becoming trapped. The balloon was thought to have been carrying three people, and the one man was able to get the other two occupants out, the Riviera Maya News stated. However, he then became entangled in the rope and was lifted into the air. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Local authorities said the man died from injuries sustained in the fall, per the AP. Event organizers insisted the aircraft, which was privately operated, had previously passed safety checks, the news agency reported. The Secretary General of the Zacatecas government didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information. Read the original article on People
National Business Review
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- National Business Review
Near-collision prompts warning for unattended aerodromes
Aviation News 2 mins to read Near-collision prompts warning for unattended aerodromes The two light aircraft passed within 20 feet of each other at Ardmore Airport in 2023. This Cessna 172 was one of the two aircraft involved. Credit:Mark Mabey, source: TAIC.
