The US visa interview update July 25, 2025 is that the Department of State eliminates the Dropbox renewal option for all non-immigrant visa categories, except B1/B2 visa holders on certain conditions. “All nonimmigrant visa applicants, including applicants under the age of 14 and over the age of 79, will generally require an in-person interview with a consular officer, effective September 2, 2025,” according to the revised US visa policy for non-immigrants from India and other countries.

It seems to hint at further revision of the Dropbox eligibility or potential elimination of in-person interview waiver for H, L, F, M, and J visa categories. The US visa interview update July 25 follows the February 2025 revision of the Dropbox eligibility criteria wherein the nonimmigrant visa expiration window was reduced to 12 months from 48 months. The previous update continued to grant visa interview waiver (Dropbox) to children under 14 years and senior citizens aged 80 or older.

On or before September 2, the Department of State will specify nonimmigrant visa categories that may be eligible for in-person interview waiver or Dropbox renewal.

Who are eligible for US Visa Interview Waiver, Dropbox in 2025

• B1/B2 visa holders renewing a full validity within 12 months of the prior visa’s expiration given they were at least 18 years old at the time of the prior visa issuance.
• Mexico nationals renewing a full validity of Border Crossing Card (Foil card or laser visa) within 12 months of the prior visa’s expiration
• B1/B2 visa holders must apply for Dropbox renewal in their country of nationality or residence
• They have never been refused a visa nor do they have apparent or potential ineligibility.
• The same conditions apply to Mexico citizens for Border Crossing Card Dropbox eligibility

What about H1B visa holders with Dropbox appointments in 2025?

Dropbox appointments in September 2025 onwards may be cancelled if the US visa interview waiver update July 25 blanketly targets H1B visa holders and others in’ H’ visa categories. It is too early to say anything until the next update – whether in-person interview is mandatory for H1B renewal and other non-immigrant visas.

H1B visa holders with Dropbox appointments in India feel puzzled wondering if they have to book in-person interview slots. It is natural for them to panic, because all Dropbox appointments were annulled when the February 8, 2025 update was rolled out.

If you have already booked your travel to India for Dropbox appointments in September or October 2025, it is recommended you contact your travel agent or the airline for possible rescheduling options. If not, you can avail flight discounts now and book budget flight tickets to India from USA in August or September.

The post US Visa Interview Waiver Update July 25: Dropbox Option to be Eliminated for All Nonimmigrants first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post US Visa Interview Waiver Update July 25: Dropbox Option to be Eliminated for All Nonimmigrants appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

It seems that non-immigrants are at the center of revenue streams to the US Treasury. After having signed an executive order to increase visitor fees to America’s national parks for non-US residents, President Trump is up with the first-of-its-kind surcharge for non-immigrant visa applicants under the One Big Beautiful Bill. Named the Visa Integrity Fee, $250 will be levied on all US visa applicants from India and other countries, starting in 2026. Read on to know whether it is fixed, waivable, and refundable. 

What is new US Visa Integrity Fee?

Integral to President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, the $250 Visa Integrity Fee will be collected from foreign nationals including Indians applying for B1/B2 visa, US student visas, US work visas (H-1B, L-1), and others. Dependent visa applicants (like H4) may not be exempted. The Department of Homeland Security has made the Visa Integrity Fee mandatory, in addition to the standard visa application fees.

This is the first time the US government has introduced this kind of fee, and it’s part of President Trump’s sweeping immigration reform known as the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill.‘ With this, the overall cost of visiting or studying or working in the US will go higher, especially for US-based Indians’ visiting parents and students from India. With this new fee, the US treasury would have an inflow of funds from Indian professionals who make up a large share of the US non-immigrant population.

The new Visa Integrity Fee is non-waivable, which means non-immigrant US visa applicants will have to pay it, regardless of their visa purpose or financial situation. However, the $250 Visa Integrity Fee is refundable, and the refund claim is subject to certain conditions, including but not limited to your strict compliance with the US visa rules, like no visa overstay.

How to get a refund on $250 Visa Integrity Fee collected by DHS

DHS reiterates that the fee cannot be waived or reduced for any reason, but it may be refundable in limited cases.

You might get the Visa Integrity Fee back if you strictly comply with the rules and regulations applicable to your US visa status and category. This means you refrain from taking up a job or any sort of employment without authorization.

DHS may refund the additional $250 fee if B1/B2 visa holders don’t overstay in the US. Those who exit the US within 5 days prior to their form I-94 expiration date without seeking visa extension or change of status might be eligible for a refund.

If you receive a lawful extension or your visa status is adjusted to permanent residency before the Form I-94 expiry date, you can seek a refund of the Visa Integrity Fee from the Department of Homeland Security.

Purpose of the US Visa Integrity Fee for non-immigrants

Under the One Big Beautiful Bill, the Visa Integrity Fee is introduced aiming to make all US visa holders more accountable and law compliant. The additional $250 fee is intended to prevent non-immigrants from making violations like unauthorized work and overstaying in the US. It is a kind of penalization for any discrepancy found between what B1/B2 visa holders do in the US and what they stated as their purpose of visit in the US tourist visa interview as well as the DS-160 Form.

Subscribe to monthly newsletters of Travel Beats, your favorite Indian Diaspora portal for relevant stories for NRIs in America, US immigration updates, US-India travel news, and a lot more. Travel Beats is a subsidiary of Indian Eagle, the most trusted travel-booking partner of Indians and Americans in the US, offering phone-only budget flight deals to India. 

The post USA Brings Visa Integrity Fee for Nonimmigrants Including Indians: Check if $250 is Waivable or Refundable first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post USA Brings Visa Integrity Fee for Nonimmigrants Including Indians: Check if $250 is Waivable or Refundable appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Like many other Indians, Rakesh is traveling to India with his family this summer (in July). He proudly holds a Green Card for his permanent residency in the land of American Dream. He had booked his flight tickets from Seattle to Bengaluru with Lufthansa when Indian Eagle was offering US-India flight discounts celebrating Women’s Day 2025 through March. After having secured a good deal for the summer travel, they got busy making a bucket list of things to do and see in and around Bengaluru this time.

Their round-trip itinerary has two Schengen airport layovers – Frankfurt and Munich in Germany – which requires a regular Schengen Visa for smooth transit. We had sent him the booking confirmation email and Lufthansa flight tickets with a note that the itinerary he purchased may require a short Schengen visa or airport transit visa in Germany. It seems that he overlooked the note as he was under the impression that Green Card holders are exempted from this visa requirement in the Schengen area.

He woke up to this requirement for his journey through Frankfurt and Munich, when a user post in some Facebook community group caught his attention. In the post, an Indian from San Francisco shared his ordeal of being denied boarding by Lufthansa for not having a Schengen Visa for his flight itinerary similar to Rakesh’s. Taken aback by the post, Rakesh took no time to call Indian Eagle’s customer helpline and confirm whether a regular Schengen Visa is required for transit via two airports in Germany.

He got into a dilemma over whether he should cancel their reservation with Lufthansa and book a new round trip with one-stop flights from Seattle to Bengaluru with some other airline, or apply for a short Schengen Visa. Cancelling the scheduled travel would have incurred him a hefty airline fee for each of four travelers in the booking, though the itinerary was refundable. On top of that, a new booking would cost him more than what he paid (minus the Women’s Day discount) in March.

After two days of deliberation, he chose to apply for a regular Schengen Visa. It was the third week of April; thankfully, not too late to meet the transit visa requirement for their US-India round trip with Lufthansa. Many travelers like Rakesh are still unaware of this critical visa rule involving transit between two Schengen airports in Germany. Most of them realize this late, and thus have no other option than cancelling their travel in the eleventh hour and seeking last-minute flight tickets with deals.

Indian Eagle, the most trusted travel-booking partner of Indians and Americans, thanks Rakesh Gupta for this story. We wish him a safe and happy trip! Subscribe to Travel Beats, a leading US-India travel news community for latest updates on airlines, airports, transit visas, routes, etc.

The post Hidden Schengen Visa Rule for Transit via Frankfurt and Munich, Rakesh Decodes and Saves His Travel on Time first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post Hidden Schengen Visa Rule for Transit via Frankfurt and Munich, Rakesh Decodes and Saves His Travel on Time appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

After imposing a 3.5% remittance tax on international money transfers by non-US citizens, President Trump is looking to cash in on visa interview appointment delays at US embassies and consulates across the world. The US visa interview wait times continue to be a nightmare for Indians, especially B1/B2 visa applicants planning to visit America for personal or professional purposes. It takes several months to secure a B1/B2 visa interview slot, with the average wait time extending to nearly 9 months across the US Embassy and Consulates in India.

The Trump administration has proposed a premium service fee – $1000 – for US visa applicants to fast-track their interview appointments and bypass long waiting times. This is proposed in addition to the current processing fee of $185 for US tourist visa and student visa categories. With plans to be launched as a pilot program in December 2025, the new premium processing fee would enable you to secure early non-immigrant visa interview slots in India.

Cutting short, B1/B2 visas will particularly come with a hefty $1000+$185 fee given the US tourist visa interview delays at the US Embassy and Consulates in India, if President Trump’s proposal is approved. A significant number of US tourist visa applicants would take a hit, as evident from Hyderabad to Dallas, Chennai to Detroit, Kolkata to New York, Bengaluru to Seattle flights carrying Indians on B1/B2 visa.

Trump’s fast-track visa interview processing fee aims to monetize the demand for non-immigrant US visas and generate a revenue stream out of unusually long interview wait times. With over 10 million non-immigrant visas issued in 2024, including nearly 6 million tourist visas, the demand is high, and interview delays are often frustratingly long. By offering to expedite US visa interview appointments for a premium fee $1000, the Trump administration is to give travelers a choice: wait it out or pay to move up.

This proposed fast-track visa interview service is very much like President Trump’s vision of a Gold Card visa program that would sell US citizenship for $5 million, granting faster access to those willing to pay. Since returning to office in January 2025, Trump has quickly moved to reshape immigration policy by tightening screening procedures, revisiting visa categories, and now, introducing a paid route for faster visa appointments.

The post Trump Considers $1000 Fast-Track Fee for Non-immigrant US Visa Interviews: All You Need to Know first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post Trump Considers $1000 Fast-Track Fee for Non-immigrant US Visa Interviews: All You Need to Know appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Applying for US visas is now easier, faster, and smarter. The days of long visa waits at US embassies and consulates in India and other countries are numbered, as the US State Department is digitally transforming your visa journey by speeding up the process, from selection to queries to application to interviews. Let’s say hello to the US Visa Navigator, a new AI-powered digital assistant that is designed to remove hassles from the end-to-end application process.

What is US Visa Navigator Tool?

Integrated to the country-wise websites of US embassies and consulates, the Visa Navigator Tool is a real-time assistant to clear your confusion, address your queries, help you with latest updates, guide you step-by-step through application, and reduce unnecessary delays. It takes days, sometimes weeks, to get response to your visa-related queries via email. The new AI tool aims to eliminate delays by giving you case-specific answers in real time and around the clock.

With the online Visa Navigator Tool, the US State Department simplifies the way you navigate the visa selection and application process. It also eliminates the need to go through the US visa-related FAQ pages. It leaves little room for mistakes by breaking down the complex information and outlining the tedious application process step by step for your convenience. Precisely, no more waiting for clarification! No more delays for application!

Is it safe to use the Visa Navigator Tool?

The US State Department claims it to be safe for users. The Visa Navigator neither tracks you nor asks for your personal information. Unlike commercial chatbots, it does not even collect your name, IP address, gender, nationality, or any other identifiable detail. You can expect to get information, clarification, and guidance in real time, regardless of your identity and location, without being watched.

How USA Visa Navigator Tool Works

You can access the Visa Navigator Tool on a US embassy website or consulate. It has a clean, form-style interface (Google Forms). It walks you through a few simple steps to identify your needs, like whether you’re applying for a new visa or visa renewal, and in which category. As you click through, the tool tailors its advice based on your inputs.

First, the tool asks, “What can we help you with?” and gives several options like “Nonimmigrant visas” (tourism, work, study), “Immigrant visas” (green cards), “Green Card issues” (lost/expired), “Diplomatic/Official visas”, “Visa Fraud”, “US Citizen Services”, or “Other questions.” Selecting the right category narrows down the advice you’ll get.

Next, it asks something like “Which of the below best describes you?” with choices such as “I’m a new applicant”, “My visa is under processing”, or “I have a valid/expired US visa and have questions.” This way the US Visa Navigator knows whether you’re starting fresh or need help renewing or replacing a visa. Finally, the tool shows very specific topics (based on your selection so far). You pick the one that best matches your exact query.

If you’re planning a trip to the US from India, the Visa Navigator can be a huge help with your visa queries. This newly launched tool is embedded to the websites of the US Embassy and Consulates in India. Simply go to the visa section of the embassy or consulate website and click on the Visa Navigator link to get started.

The US State Department described it as “just the beginning and a part of the global push to digitize consular services and make the visa journey more transparent and user-friendly.” So, give Visa Navigator a try to get through the process without delay. This 24/7 digital guide could save you time, reduce stress, and help you avoid mistakes. The US Visa Navigator tool is getting you one step closer to your goal of visiting or living in America.

The post USA Launches Visa Navigator Tool: Applying for US Visa is Now Easier, Faster, Smarter first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post USA Launches Visa Navigator Tool: Applying for US Visa is Now Easier, Faster, Smarter appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, said in 1959, “The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word ‘crisis’. One stands for danger, the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger, but recognize the opportunity.” More than sixty years later, his words are more relevant than ever, especially in current times of US visa rejections and immigration crackdowns.

What John F. Kennedy said in 1959 rings true about Saransh Goila, a celebrity chef and entrepreneur in India. Aiming to encourage thousands of Indians navigating US visa interviews and immigration challenges only to face rejection, Chef Saransh Goila shared an interesting anecdote on Instagram. How his life tumbled after he was denied a US visitor visa in 2011, how he overcame the feeling as if there was no tomorrow, and how it became a turning point resonated with many Indians.

In his 20s, Saransh Goila was fascinated with the idea of traveling to the US and making it to Food Network. He gathered all his savings for flight tickets to Los Angeles, but the US visa rejection crushed his hopes and made him feel like this was the end of his world. However, “what happens, happens for good” – is what he believes now. The closed door to America led him to the other end of the tunnel where a better opportunity was awaiting him.

Exactly one month later, life surprised him. He got a call from Food Food TV for audition that turned his fortune around unpredictably. What appeared like a bolt from the blue was actually a response to the email that he had sent to the channel in 2010. He was shortlisted as a contestant for the FoodFood Maha Challenge 2011 hosted by Chef Sanjeev Kapoor and Bollywood diva, Madhuri Dixit. He won the competition and became a household name in India.

In a 2016 interview with Sourav Agarwal, Senior Editor at Travel Beats, a leading community portal for Indian Diaspora, Chef Saransh Goila gave a sneak peek of his 20,000km food marathon across India as part of Food Food channel’s ‘Roti Rasta aur India’ program. He documented his observations, experiences, and insights from the culinary food trip in the book titled “India on My Platter.”

His growing popularity earned him invitation to showcase Indian Cuisine in the United States in March 2012. This was the time he realized that good things happen at the right time.

Chef Saransh Goila had a completely different experience during his US visa interview the second time. “Why was your visa rejected the first time? I can’t understand,” a young interviewer at the US Consulate told him. With a gentle smile, the consular officer also told him that the chef did not need to carry any newspaper clippings to prove himself. Rather, he said, “Can you teach me more about Indian food?” A surprise to Saransh beyond his imagination!

After making a name for himself on Indian Television, Saransh Goila went on to build something of his own- Goila Butter Chicken, a brand that has now grown to over 100 locations across India and London. He is also planning to take his signature butter chicken to the USA very soon. In 2019, Saransh was featured in Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 list. He was recognized as the youngest Celebrity Chef in the list of Top 10 Chefs in India.

Reflecting on the journey, he wrote on social media, “If I had gone earlier to the US, who knows I might have struggled all my life. My rejection made me who I am today.” Saransh Goila’s journey from the first-time visa rejection to the invitation from USA reminds us that rejection does not always mean failure. Not all visa rejections are utter disappointments. In fact, for some, it is the push they need to find success in ways they have never imagined.

The post Celebrity Chef Saransh Goila Shares How US Visa Rejection Became a Blessing in Disguise for Him first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post Celebrity Chef Saransh Goila Shares How US Visa Rejection Became a Blessing in Disguise for Him appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Reportedly, American tech companies are advising the US visa holders, among their employees, to avoid international trips amid the heightened scrutiny at US airports for retuning travelers. However, smooth re-entry to the United States requires both immigrants and non-immigrants to have certain preparedness, like carrying essential documents while traveling abroad. If you have booked flight tickets to India, it is high time to consider the below list of documents. Travel to India, spend time with family, have fun, enjoy your vacation…without worrying about your return to the second home – America.

Passport with, at least, 6-month Validity 

Your Indian passport is more than just a travel ID; it’s your primary identity proof in the US. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended date of return to the US. Otherwise, CBP officers may refuse your entry into the United States. Not only at a port of entry in the US, but also at a port of departure in India, the less-than-6-month validity of your passport can result in boarding denial to you. Also, if your US visa is stamped on an old passport, don’t forget to carry both the old and the new one.

Employment Documents for H1B and L-1 Visa Holders

For H1B visa and L1 visa holders, carrying the most recent Form I-797 is critical to their hassle-free return to USA after an international trip. This document is the official proof of your legal employment status in the US. It includes important details like your employer’s name, job position, and validity period- details that CBP officers may verify during re-entry. Along with the I-797, you should also carry a certified Labor Condition Application (LCA) and Form I-129 to prove your employment authorization in the US.

Form I-94: Your US Arrival and Departure Record

Form I-94 is a document that tracks your arrival in, departure from, and re-entry to the US, and it records the period of your legal stay in the US. This record is used by CBP officers to verify your immigration status. Before taking flights to India, download and print your latest I-94 from the official CBP website. Even if you’re a Green Card holder, CBP officers may ask for I-94 Form during your re-entry to verify your legal status. Keeping this one-page document handy is the wise to evade additional questioning on arrival from a trip to India and ensure safe re-entry into the US.

Documents for Green Card Holders and Applicants

Among the documents critical to Green Card holders’ smooth re-entry to USA is their physical Green Card. So, do always carry your physical Green Card, not just a copy or photo. If you are taking flights to USA from India after more than 6 months of stay in India or anywhere else outside the US, be prepared for a routine interrogation at the port of entry in the US. If you return to the US after 12 months, you must have a valid re-entry permit, or your Green Card could be considered abandoned.

For those in the process of getting a Green Card, especially Indian professionals transitioning from H-1B, Advance Parole is a must before leaving the US. If you travel abroad without it while your adjustment of status is pending, your application could be canceled automatically. Whether you already have permanent residency or are in the middle of the process, carrying the right documents is key to protecting your status.

Documents that Dependent Visa holders must carry

For H-4, L-2, or other dependent visa holders, it’s essential to carry marriage or birth certificates (especially if they were issued in India). Make sure they’re translated into English if needed. Also keep a copy of the primary visa holder’s key documents, like their visa stamp and I-797 approval. If you’ve been issued an EAD (work permit), carry that too, even if you’re not currently employed. During your re-entry to USA, these supporting documents will help establish your relationship with the primary visa holder and confirm your legal status in the US.

Documents that Students (F-1) must carry

If you’re studying in the US on an F-1 visa, your Form I-20 is as important as your passport. Make sure it’s signed by your Designated School Official (DSO) within the last 6 months for travel authorization. Also carry your student ID card, SEVIS fee receipt, and some proof that you’re still actively enrolled, like your latest transcripts or enrolment letter.

Travel Beats is a leading international travel news portal by Indian Eagle, the most trusted air-ticketing agency in America. Grab Indian Eagle deals for your summer travel to India with the best airlines from USA, and subscribe to our newsletter for timely updates that may impact your international trips.

The post Documents that US Visa Holders Must Carry While Flying Abroad for Smooth Re-entry to USA first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post Documents that US Visa Holders Must Carry While Flying Abroad for Smooth Re-entry to USA appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Applying for a US tourist visa, in the Trump administration, is not the same as before. Rather, it has become tougher for foreign nationals, including Indians to crack US tourist visa interviews. B2 visa rejection rate is high on grounds of visa overstay in the past, open flight tickets for return journey, and not-so-strong reasons to come back to India. Those who are unmarried, on a career break, or do not have stable employment in India are likely to face rejection.

Evidently, a US tourist visa interview is more than a conversation across the counter wherein you need to demonstrate a genuine reason to visit the US and a compelling reason to come back home. Let’s get it straight. The US consular officers look for reasons not to approve your application. Their job is to filter out applications. Understanding what they want to hear from you and what exactly you should tell them is the key to cracking B1/B2 visa interviews.

What US visa officers look for in B1/B2 visa applications (DS-160 Form):

Well-dressed appearance, an all-smiling face, fluent English, and/or good GK on America won’t get you a US visa stamp if the consular officer is not convinced about your connection to India. All you need to do is to provide honest, unambiguous, and precise answers to the most important US visa interview questions, given the fact that the US is one of the few countries infamous for the toughest visa approval process in the world.

• A clear purpose of visit: You must be able to explain why you are visiting the United States in a way that makes sense.
• Strong ties to your home country: You must demonstrate strong reasons to return to India after a vacation in the US, like a stable job, business, family, or property.
• Financial stability: You need to prove that you have enough funds to support yourself during a trip to the US and won’t seek any kind of employment, legal or illegal.
• Honesty & Consistency: Your answers should match the details in your application form and supporting documents. Any discrepancy or contradiction can be a red flag.

How to prepare for US tourist visa interviews: A guide for Indians

1. Be Clear and Honest about Your Intention of Visit

The officer wants to know why you are going to the US. So, your answer must be short, to the point, and convincing.

• Good Answer: “I am visiting the US for tourism. I have planned a 10-day trip to New York and Los Angeles, and I will return on March 15.”
• Bad Answer: “I just want to see the US. It is my long-cherished wish. I would spend quality time during my dream vacation.

If you are planning a business trip to the US, be specific about what business meeting, corporate event, or conference you will attend there. For example, I am traveling for a business conference in San Francisco, from June 5 to June 10. My company XYZ is covering all the expenses.

Visiting your family in USA? Neither a crime nor an office. This is a legitimate reason for many Indian parents to travel to USA on a B2 visa. Many visiting parents are senior citizens who feel like walking a tightrope during a US tourist visa interview. Do always remember, ‘Honesty is the best policy.’ Being honest in answering one of the most common but crucial US visa interview questions – Why are you going to USA – would increase your chances for visa approval.

2. You Must Show Strong Ties to Your Home Country

The consular officers reject many applications because they feel those B1/B2 visa applicants may overstay in USA. You must convince that you would leave the US on time as you have responsibilities and commitments back in India.

• Job: Carry documents, like your employment letter, showing your position, salary, and approved leave dates.
• Business: If self-employed, show business registration, tax documents, or client contracts.
• Family: If you have a spouse, children, or elderly parents depending on you in India, mention that.
• Property: Owning high-value property in your country is a strong sign that you would return.

See this example:

• Good Answer: “I work as a software engineer at XYZ Company, earning $5,000 per month. My company has approved my leave, and I will resume work on April 1.”
• Bad Answer: “I am on a career break for two months. So, I am planning a vacation in the US.” (This raises red flags. You have no financial stability or a compelling reason to return.)

3. You Should Keep Your Financial Proofs Ready

The consular officers examine whether you can afford international flight tickets for a round trip to USA, a definite period of stay in USA, and what if you face a medical emergency in the US. You should carry the below documents to the US Embassy or Consulate for a B1/B2 visa interview:

• Bank statements (last 6 months)
• Tax returns
• Salary slips
• Sponsorship letters (if someone else is paying for your trip)

If asked how you will pay for your trip, be direct.

• Good Answer: “I have saved $10,000 for this trip, and here are my bank statements as proof.”
• Bad Answer: “My friend in the US will take care of me.” (This can make them think you might depend on someone financially)

4. Don’t Hide Anything

Lying or giving different answers than what’s in your application can lead to an instant rejection. If your visa form says you will stay for two weeks, but you tell the officer you plan to stay for three months, they will immediately doubt your intentions.

If you have family in the US, don’t hide it, but also don’t over-explain. For example:

• Good Answer: “My brother lives in Chicago. I will visit him for a few days and tour the city and then return home to my job.”
• Avoid: “I don’t have any relatives there.” (If they find out otherwise, your visa could be denied permanently.) OR “I have many relatives there, and I’m considering staying longer.” (This raises concerns about your intention to return.)

Best US B2 Visitor Visa Interview Tips

Do never say anything that is not asked during the interview. Avoid oversharing, being talkative, and taking the interview casually. The more you talk, the more chances you have to say something wrong. Answer concisely and precisely what is asked. Neither more nor less. Giving unnecessary information to the consular officer is one of the US visa interview mistakes that can result in on-spot rejection.

Example:

• Officer: “Why are you visiting the US?”
• You: “I want to see New York, and my brother also lives there. He has a business. Maybe, I’ll help him out for a bit.” (It gives the officer a reason to doubt your purpose of visit)
• You: “I am going to help my daughter with her newborn”. (The officer may think you plan to stay longer as a caregiver. This might be viewed as unauthorized work in the US)

Instead, say, “I will visit my daughter and stay with her family for two weeks to spend quality time.”

Example:

• Officer: “Provide details of your planned trip”
• You: “I haven’t decided yet… I’ll see where to stay and when to come back.”

Sounding uncertain about your US travel plans is a big mistake. You should keep a basic plan ready to provide certain details like whom you will visit in the US, where you will stay in the US, how long, etc.

Other questions asked in US tourist visa interviews for Indians:

• Have you been to the US before?
• Why do you plan to stay so long? Can’t you make it a shorter trip?
• Where will you stay in the US?
• Do you have relatives or friends in the US?
• Who is sponsoring your visit?
• What does your sponsor do?
• What’s your plan to do during your stay in the US?
• Have you booked your return flights to India from USA and availed medical insurance?
• What assurance do you have that you will return to you home country?

Most of the time, a visa interview lasts not more than 2-3 minutes due to a long queue of applicants. Every word you say, every document you submit, and even your body language is studied in those few crucial moments. The consular officer tries to conclude in no time whether you are telling the truth. To be precise, you need to sound credible while answering the most important questions in a US visa interview. If you mince words, the officer may deem it as your intention to avoid certain questions or keep a lid on certain information. The officer’s doubts will culminate in denying visa to you.

As the interview goes like a rapid fire, the best way to respond quickly is to be prepared with clear, concise, credible answers to the above questions. You can also expect to be asked what you do for your living, what evidence you have to prove that you are related to the person you are going to visit in the USA, etc.

Travel Beats is a leading overseas Indian community portal for Indians in USA. Travel Beats publishes the latest air travel, visa, immigration, passport and Indian community news. Subscribe to our free newsletter for exclusive stories. 

The post How to Prepare for US B2 Tourist Visa Interview: Most Crucial Questions & Answers for Indians first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post How to Prepare for US B2 Tourist Visa Interview: Most Crucial Questions & Answers for Indians appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

Everything from USAID funds to federal spending, H1B visa extension, H4 EAD, F1 OPT program, and ‘dunki’ routes for illegal immigration is under the ‘Trump 2.0’ scanner. Even B1/B2 visa, a record number of which is issued to Indians every year, is not exempt to the restrictive measures in the new US government. After liberal issuance of the US tourist visa to a fair percentage of two million Indians who traveled to USA in 2024, denial of B2 visa is again in the news.

The difficulty of cracking US visitor visa interviews has increased manifold in recent times. The viral news of B2 visa rejection to a 27-year-old senior Data analyst on career break brought it to the public notice one month ago. He wanted to visit his sister in California before he would start MBA studies at Indian School of Business in Hyderabad. But he was denied the US visitor visa under 214(b) though he showed a receipt of Rs 7 lakh paid to the B-school demonstrating his strong intention to come back to India for higher studies.

Six months ago, ‘How to crack B2 visa interview’ was trending after Arun Yogiraj, the famous sculptor of Ram Lalla idol for Ayodhya Ram Temple, failed to get a US tourist visa for a World Kannada Conference in Virginia and other events in the east coast. US visa delays and denials are common stories these days. Rejected visa applicants are scouring through Quora, Reddit, and Facebook for guidance on common reasons for B2 visa rejection.

Visa overstay during your past visit to USA is one of the most common reasons for B1/B2 visa rejection. If you extended your stay in USA for medical emergency or any other unavoidable reason, which was not reported to the concerned authorities, you are likely to face rejection of B2 visa renewal due to overstaying the visa period. In January 2024, an elderly couple from Gujarat were denied boarding to a Mumbai-Atlanta flight as their visa was revoked without their knowledge. Leaving no space for visa overstay is one of the promises that President Trump had made during his election campaigns.

What is being strictly enforced on the US visitor visa holders in Trump’s America is their arrival with confirmed return flight tickets. Previously, B1/B2 visa holders from India were able to enter the US with open flight tickets for return journey, taking advantage of loopholes in the system. Open tickets are unscheduled tickets for passengers with uncertain travel dates. It allows passengers to schedule their travel within a period stipulated by the airline. But not anymore! In the last week of January, an NRI shared that his parents on B2 visa were denied entry at Newark Airport because their return flight was not confirmed (they had open tickets).

Visa rejections not only ruin one’s travel plans but also cause dismay and incur financial losses. Over the past 12 months, the rejection of tourist visas to several countries including the US, the UK, and the UAE has cost Indians Rs 662 crore in loss. The US visa rejection rate accounted for 16.5% of every 100 visa applications submitted in 2024. With a shorter Dropbox eligibility window for Indians, B2 visa applicants are bracing for a turbulent road to America, from longer in-person interview wait times to potential travel disruptions.

The post B2 Visa Holders from India under Trump 2.0 Scanner for Visa Overstay and Open Return Tickets first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post B2 Visa Holders from India under Trump 2.0 Scanner for Visa Overstay and Open Return Tickets appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

At some temples in India, Venkateswara Swamy, Sri Ganesha, and Sankatmochan Hanuman double up as “Visa Gods” for hundreds of thousands of Indians wishing to study, work, live and settle abroad. Pesky paperwork, convoluted process, visa appointment delay, fears of rejection, and likes drive ambitious individuals with their passports in folded hands to the visa temples where the deities are believed to answer their prayers for visa approvals. After all, Indians are known for their steadfast faith in the divine power.

What makes India the largest beneficiary of H1B and L1 visas issued by the United States every year? It is the visa temples in India, and one of them is in Telangana. Hardly 25km from the IT corridor of Hyderabad City, Sri Chilkur Balaji Temple grants visa boons to STEM students and software professionals aspiring to live the American Dream. Though the temple is nearly 500 years old, it came to be known as Visa Balaji temple in Hyderabad only in the 1980s.

Hundreds of visa seekers from far and wide throng the temple daily, with the crowd swelling on weekends during visa seasons. Hyderabad’s Chilkur Balaji Temple is believed to expedite the visa paperwork, remove obstacles from the process, and minimize the visa interview delay (if there is any) for those who make 11 pradakshinas around the sanctum sanctorum, chanting ‘Govinda’ with devotion. They revisit the temple and perform 108 pradakshinas out of gratitude to the deity if they are blessed with their desired visas to travel/settle abroad.

No wonder why the twin states of Telugu-speaking people receive a majority of US student visas and US employment visas every year.

Let’s travel straight to Punjab where a village named Talhan near Jalandhar has one of the visa temples in India. Unlike other visa temples where coconuts and flowers are offered to the deity, the Shaheed Baba Nihal Singh Gurudwara receives toy planes from the visa seekers. Not only students aspiring foreign degrees or working professionals looking to have a better life overseas, but also parents seeking well-to-do NRI grooms for their daughters visit the gurudwara in Talhan.

Unsurprisingly, the market outside the gurudwara has several shops dealing in toy planes of different sizes, which sell like hot cakes. The prevailing belief is that those offering prayers at the Shaheed Baba Nihal Singh Gurudwara in Talhan are blessed with the increased likelihood of international travel to USA, Canada, the UK, and Australia. The 150-year-old gurudwara features a huge replica of aircraft atop its roof similar to various rooftop sculptures in some Punjab villages with NRI population.

Gujarat is no exception in the context of a visa god or goddess whose divine intervention is ritually sought to expediate visa approvals. Tens of hundreds of visa aspirants from across Gujarat and Rajasthan visit Chamatkarik Hanuman Mandir in Khadia, Ahmedabad every day.  The presiding deity of this modest temple is locally known as ‘Visa Hunauman’, as Lord Hanuman was the only one to have travelled overseas (without documents) in search of Devi Sita.

The visa Hanuman Mandir in Ahmedabad earned the moniker ‘Chamatkarik’ as it is believed to have done miracles even for those who had fewer chances for visa approval. The temple priests perform certain rituals to invoke Lord Hanuman and seek His blessings for devotees wishing to travel abroad.

The national capital, New Delhi, is home to two such temples granting visa boons to Indians, irrespective of caste, community, and economic status. One of the two is Pracheen Hanuman Mandir near the VFS Global Application Center at Connaught Place. Among the oldest and most popular temples in Delhi, Pracheen Hanuman Mandir is a go-to destination for those who dream of taking flights from New Delhi to USA and other countries for better opportunities.

Also, B1/B2 visa seekers visit the temple as their travel plans often take a backseat due to visa appointment delays at the US Embassy, New Delhi (where 475 days is the current wait time).

Located on IGNOU Road, Chamatkari Visa Wale Hanuman Mandir is another such place in Delhi for those awaiting coveted US visa stamps on their passports. International travel aspirants and visa applicants write their problems in red ink on a piece of paper and offer it at the feet of Lord hanuman in the temple. Interestingly, this visa temple keeps a register for those who write ‘thank you’ notes as a gesture of gratitude if their visa issues are resolved.

The trail of visa temples across India ends at the Sri Lakshmi Visa Ganapathy Temple in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Located within 10km from the US Consulate in Chennai City, the temple is frequented by troubled visa seekers with passports in one hand and coconuts in the other hand. Sri Ganesha, the god of happy beginnings, is revered as the remover of visa-related obstacles for one’s international journey at this temple. Since visa approval marks the beginning of an international trip, irrespective of the purpose, Tamil Nadu’s only visa temple in Chennai has become a beacon of hope for those anticipating visa delays or fearing visa interviews.

The post India is Home to 6 Visa Temples where Many NRIs Got Visa Boons to Live American Dream or Work in Other Countries first appeared on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.

The post India is Home to 6 Visa Temples where Many NRIs Got Visa Boons to Live American Dream or Work in Other Countries appeared first on Travel to India, Cheap Flights to India, Aviation News, India Travel Tips.