Disclaimer: The data shared under relies on my private expertise and understanding. It could not absolutely mirror the actuals in all situations.
If you happen to’ve tried making use of for a US vacationer visa in India, you already know the wait instances will be irritating – round one 12 months simply to get an appointment!
However there’s a strategy to velocity issues up: If you happen to’re already planning a global journey, you possibly can apply from one other nation.
I just lately utilized for and acquired my US visa from the US embassy in Estonia throughout my journey to Europe. Right here’s the whole lot you have to know in regards to the course of.
Is it allowed?
Sure, it’s allowed!
This technique has been round for some time however grew to become extra standard after COVID. Even the US embassy in India have urged making use of from different international locations to cope with the excessive demand.
The place to Apply?
One of the best place to use relies on appointment wait instances. You possibly can test the US World Wait Occasions on-line, however bear in mind, wait instances for non-residents is perhaps totally different. Some standard areas to use for US Visa:
- Asia: Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
- Europe: Estonia, Poland
Observe that in Asia you may must pay visa charges in particular person, however in Europe, you possibly can normally pay on-line.
How one can Apply?
- Fill Out the DS-160 Type:
Select your most popular location and full the shape on-line. Yow will discover step-by-step guides on the web. - E book an Appointment:
Use the precise portal for the situation you’re making use of from. It may be a bit tough since there are totally different portals for various locations, however simply observe the directions, and also you’ll be superb.
The general course of is easy however undoubtedly not consumer pleasant. As an example, I spent about an hour attempting to finish the applying, solely to understand that Chrome (on Mac) wasn’t supported. I needed to change to Firefox to proceed.
My Expertise
I used to be in Europe for a couple of month this 12 months, so I made a decision to use for US Visa from Tallinn, Estonia. Right here’s the way it went:
Software: Finishing the DS-160 kind took about three hours. Ideally, it ought to take about 90 minutes, however I needed to confer with paperwork like faculty attendance dates, which slowed me down.
Appointment: I secured an appointment on the US Embassy in Tallinn, Estonia, inside one week.
Interview: I arrived on the embassy a couple of minutes earlier than my scheduled time. After clearing airport-style safety, I waited within the corridor with a number of different candidates.
The interview course of had three steps:
- Passport & appointment slip submission
- Fingerprint assortment
- The precise interview
Curiously, my interview was carried out on the fingerprint assortment space itself, possible as a result of small variety of candidates that day.
The officer conducting the interview was calm, composed, and spoke with a transparent accent. I used to be requested about:
- Primary profile information as already talked about on software
- Once I got here to Tallinn/Europe and if I got here only for the Visa.
- My journey historical past (I had visited 10+ international locations within the final 5 years by then)
- Whether or not I deliberate to go to family within the US
The interview lasted about 5 minutes, after which the officer spent a number of extra minutes typing notes. Lastly, the officer knowledgeable me that my visa was accredited and handed me a slip stating I might acquire my passport the following day.
Total Timeline: It took about 10 days from the applying to receiving my visa. Nonetheless, the timeline can range primarily based on appointment availability – somebody I do know bought the whole lot accomplished in 4 days as nicely.
Issues to notice
- Select Early Week Appointments: Keep away from delays attributable to weekends in case processing takes longer than anticipated.
- Electronics: Cell phones weren’t allowed within the constructing. I stayed on the Movenpick Resort, a five-minute stroll from the embassy, which made this handy.
- Picture Necessities: Some embassies require a digital photograph. I uploaded one throughout the software and carried a bodily backup, although it wasn’t wanted.
- Function of Journey: Embassies might not encourage candidates to go to a international nation solely for the visa. It’s higher to use whereas on a deliberate journey.
Is it value it?
It relies on your profile.
If somebody hasn’t traveled a lot and is visiting a international nation solely for the visa, it might improve the probabilities of rejection. There are quite a few experiences of rejections in each European and Asian international locations.
Nonetheless, when you have a good journey historical past and are making use of for the visa as a part of a deliberate journey, making use of out of the country could possibly be one of many quickest methods to get a US visa – offered your profile is powerful sufficient.
Various: You possibly can nonetheless get an appointment in India in underneath three months for those who often test availability or use companies to assist safe earlier slots. Some folks handle appointments in as little as two weeks.
US Immigration
Assuming you bought the US visa, what’s subsequent? US Immigration.
Typically talking, getting a visa alone doesn’t assure entry into the US. This is applicable to all international locations however US immigration is notoriously strict in comparison with different international locations.
Once I was again from my Europe journey final month, I met a traveller who was coming back from New York. He talked about that he faces at the very least quarter-hour of questioning throughout pre-clearance at Abu Dhabi each time he travels to US – regardless of flying top quality together with his household.
So in case your socio-economic profile is weak otherwise you’re visiting the US for the primary time or if US safety system thinks you’re a dangerous profile for no matter motive, put together for detailed checks or interviews.
Bottomline
Because it takes a very long time to get a US B1/B2 visa in India, reserving an appointment out of the country whereas touring internationally will be an effective way to hurry up the method. Nonetheless, it comes with its personal challenges and extra journey bills.
Past the visa course of, Estonia is a ravishing vacation spot value visiting, particularly for those who admire a peaceful and serene environment.
Think about a spot the place younger kids can stroll to highschool independently, and a authorities that enables its residents to vote on-line. These are simply a number of the unbelievable issues Estonia provides – it really deserves a devoted article sometime!
Have you ever utilized for US Visa from a international nation? Be at liberty to share your ideas within the feedback under.