US H1B visa: The US Embassy in India will implement new rules for scheduling and rescheduling appointments for nonimmigrant visas, including those for H-1B visas, starting January 1, 2025, to streamline the process and reduce wait times.

This announcement on the US Embassy’s official Instagram post comes shortly after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unveiled new rules to modernize the US H-1B visa process, allowing applicants to quickly fill open positions in critical areas occupy.

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US visa

Under the new visa appointment rules, applicants can reschedule their appointments once without paying additional fees. However, if they miss their rescheduled appointment or need to reschedule more than once, they will be required to book a new appointment and pay the fees again.

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“These changes will make it easier and quicker for everyone to get appointments,” the embassy stated in its post, urging all applicants to keep their scheduled appointments to ensure the process remained smooth and efficient.

H1B visa

Another step to speed up the visa process and curb abuse was the revised H-1B visa rules under the Biden administration, which will also take effect on January 17, 2025.

H-1B visa applicants must now demonstrate that their degree is directly related to their job to ensure there is no abuse of the program.

The new rules have also allowed immigration officials to process extension applications based on prior approvals, streamlining the process. You will also have the opportunity to conduct workplace compliance checks more frequently.

One of the new rules also allows people with previous applications to avoid in-person interviews and use their previous materials under the Interview Waiver Program, which also significantly speeds up the process for applicants.