The US Embassy and Consulates in India extend visa fees validity till September 2023

Here is some good news for Indian travellers seeking a US visa. Offering relief to Indian travellers seeking US visa and all the applicants who were unable to schedule a visa appointment as a result of the suspension of routine consular operations because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the US Embassy and Consulates in India have now announced to extend the validity of the visa payment, known as the MRV fee until September 30, 2023.

As per a statement posted on the website of the US Department of State Visa Appointment Service, the Mission stated, “The US Embassy and Consulates in India understand that many visa applicants have paid the visa application processing fee and are still waiting to schedule a visa appointment.

We are working diligently to restore all routine visa operations as quickly and safely as possible. In the meantime, rest assured that the US Mission will extend the validity of your payment (known as the MRV fee) until September 30, 2023, to allow all applicants who were unable to schedule a visa appointment as a result of the suspension of routine consular operations an opportunity to schedule and/or attend a visa appointment with the already paid fee.”

In the wake of travel suspension and pandemic situation in India, routine non-immigrant visa and VAC appointments at US Embassy in New Delhi and the consulates in Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, and Kolkata, remained extremely limited, while only emergency visa services were being offered in limited categories.

Reportedly, the US Government announced last month that it will be lifting all COVID-related travel bans on all air passengers from November 2021, if they are fully vaccinated, and undergo testing and contact tracing.