A recent report from the CATO Institute shows that visa interview
wait times around the world have reached a new high.
The latest data from US consulates and embassies abroad shows
that some visa interviews can take more than a year.
And according to your comments on my previous videos about visa interviews,
many are experiencing wait times even longer!
This isn't just for immigrant visas.
The report says that nonimmigrant visas are also experiencing significant delays,
with the majority of consulates taking more than six months
to schedule an interview for tourist or business visas.
So according to this new data,
how long will you need to wait for your visa interview?
Keep watching because we're going to take a closer
look at the current interview wait times for both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas
around the world, as well as what the State Department is doing about it.
And if this is your first time on my channel, be sure to subscribe
and turn on notifications for regular immigration news updates.
If you'd like to get my help on your case, please call our office
at (212)248-7907 to schedule a case evaluation.
So how much
have visa interview numbers improved since we last discussed them in May?
At that time there were 421,136 immigrant visa cases
that were documentarily qualified with the National Visa Center
and waiting for a visa interview to be scheduled.
According to the NVC's July report, there are still 409,645
people awaiting their interview or reduction of only 11,491 worldwide.
To put that in context, in 2019, the average number of pending interviews
to be scheduled by the embassy was 60,866—only 15% of the current backlog.
The number of nonimmigrant visas issued has shown a little more improvement,
with 668,835
being issued in May of this year, and 792,962 being issued in June.
That number is still significantly lower than in July 2019
before the pandemic, when embassies and consulates around the world
issued around 810,329 nonimmigrant visas.
And according to the latest data abroad,
those numbers will need to be considerably higher in order to meet the
demands for business and tourist visas within a reasonable timeframe.
If you are waiting for your visa interview please leave a comment below
letting everyone know which country you're in and how long you've been waiting
in order to help others who might be in a similar situation.
Now that we know the numbers, what does it mean for current visa
interview wait times and how long might you need to wait for yours?
Unfortunately, the most recent data from embassies and consulates
abroad shows that interview wait times for both immigrants
and nonimmigrant visas have reached new highs.
Let's start with not immigrant visa wait times.
According to the recent report from the CATO Institute, student visa
interviews are backed up by an average of 49 days
and are five times as long as they were from before the pandemic.
Temporary work visas are backed up by an average of 75 days,
which is about six times as long as they were before the pandemic.
And tourist visas and business visas are backed up by an average of 247 days,
which is taking more than 14 times longer than before the pandemic.
Nonimmigrant visa wait times at different embassies and consulates vary wildly,
with some just a matter of days and others extended for months.
I will include a link to data for all US consular posts in the description below.
As many of you know, the situation for immigrant visa applicants is even worse.
The State Department does not release data on interview wait times
for immigrant visas, but based on the recent visa numbers
we just discussed the average wait time is likely around ten months.
While the total number of immigrant visas being issued each month is approaching
pre-pandemic levels, that's nowhere near adequate
if the State Department intends to fix the visa backlog.
The Bureau of Consular Affairs has blamed these backlog numbers on COVID closures
and a lack of staff.
But most consulates have since reopened and are conducting non-emergency
visa interviews.
In addition, the last time visa wait times grew above a few months,
President Obama then issued an executive order
declaring that 80% of all nonimmigrant visas have to be issued within 21 days.
In response, the State Department got the processing time
down to an average of just a few days.
So they're claim that this is a staffing issue is suspect.
The author of the CATO report wasn't convinced either, saying
"this should not be a huge surprise.
The consulate simply refused to do their jobs for two years."
If you want to hear what specific U.S.
consular posts had to say about resuming routine visa services
and anticipated wait times for interviews, I'll include a link to that video here.
I'll also continue to bring you additional immigration news as it's available,
so be sure to subscribe and turn on notifications if you haven't done so yet.
Click here to watch this video next. I'll see you there.