EE.UU. vuelve a endurecer las normas sobre visados: Más tiempo de espera

Key Points

• The U.S. now requires nonimmigrant visa interviews to be scheduled only in the applicant's country of nationality or residence, eliminating third-country interview options.
• Waivers for in-person interviews have been largely revoked, and new or increased fees—like the $250 Visa Integrity Fee and higher ESTA costs—have been introduced.
• These changes are expected to increase wait times, costs, and scrutiny for applicants, particularly affecting travelers from countries with long-standing visa backlogs.

Summary

The United States has tightened its nonimmigrant visa policies by mandating that interviews must be held in the applicant's country of nationality or residence, thereby removing the popular workaround of scheduling interviews in third countries to avoid long wait times. The move comes alongside the end of most interview waivers and the introduction of new or higher fees, including a $250 Visa Integrity Fee, increased ESTA charges, and stricter vetting procedures. These changes are expected to worsen delays, raise costs, and increase scrutiny for applicants, particularly for those from countries like India that already face significant visa backlogs.