In a bid to address the surging demand for visas, the US Consulate in Mumbai organized a special 'Super Saturday' drive on March 9, screening 1,500 visa applicants. The diverse group of applicants included elderly parents visiting their children, students pursuing education abroad, temporaorkers, tourists, and businessmen, many of whom were first-time visitors.
'Super Saturday' drives, initiated sporadically since 2022, are set to become a quarterly feature going forward. The surge in demand had previously led to a waiting period of up to 1,000 days. However, concerted efforts to increase manpower and resources have significantly reduced the backlog, according to visa chief Katherine Estes.
The consulate has encouraged individuals to apply directly rather than relying on agents, emphasizing the importance of monitoring the consulate's website for visa appointment openings. On the 'Super Saturday,' consular authorities made arrangements for seating, water, food, and wheelchairs to facilitate the applicants' experience.
The US Consulate's spokesperson, Greg Pardo, highlighted that applicant travelled from various parts of the country, not limited to Maharashtra and western India. He emphasized that visa openings are regularly updated on the website, allowing applicants to seek visas from any embassy or consulate based on their preferences and the waiting period in different locations.
The move aims to streamline the visa application process, enabling applicants to choose locations with shorter waiting periods, even considering alternative locations like Germany, Paris, Dubai, or Doha if they are traveling to those destinations.
One applicant from Chennai expressed his surprise at securing an appointment on a Saturday, a holiday, confirming the consulate's operational status. The US Embassy in New Delhi and four consulates nationwide collectively processed over one million visas in 2023, including various immigration visas. This effort showcases the consulate's commitment to addressing the rising demand and ensuring a smoother visa application process for individuals aspiring to visit the United States.
