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US Consulate Kolkata launches B1/B2 visa pilot
The pilot program offers priority scheduling for eligible business travelers and tourists amid high demand for U.S. visitor visas from India.
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Malvika Choudhary - Thu, 21, May 2026
- 13:44 EDT
- 59
Representative image / X/ @USAndKolkata
The U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata launched a new pilot initiative aimed at reducing wait times for B1/B2 visa applicants, with priority scheduling for business travelers and genuine tourists.
Announcing the initiative on social media, the mission said the program aligns with efforts to strengthen the U.S.-India economic and travel ties.
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“America First in Prosperity! The new B1/B2 pilot at Consulate Kolkata puts American economic priorities first – and that means prioritizing YOU if you're a business traveler or genuine tourist,” the consulate said in a post on X.
America First in Prosperity!
— U.S. Consulate Kolkata (@USAndKolkata) May 21, 2026
The new B1/B2 pilot at Consulate Kolkata puts American economic priorities first—and that means prioritizing YOU if you're a business traveler or genuine tourist. Shorter wait times for those who strengthen U.S.-India ties.
See if you qualify… pic.twitter.com/2YdIt40cjs
It added that the pilot would offer “shorter wait times for those who strengthen U.S.-India ties.”
The B1 visa category is issued for business-related travel, while the B2 category is meant for tourism, family visits, and medical travel. Applicants have been directed to check eligibility for priority scheduling through the U.S. visa application portal.
The announcement comes amid continued high demand for U.S. visitor visas from India and persistent appointment backlogs across consulates. The U.S. Department of State, in its latest Global Visa Wait Times update dated May 18, said it continues to release additional appointment slots regularly and advised applicants to frequently check the scheduling system for earlier openings.
“The Department of State is committed to protecting our nation and its citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process,” the department said in the update.
It noted that wait time figures do not guarantee applicants an interview within a specific period and clarified that “next available appointment” estimates may differ from actual average wait times, as applicants are sometimes able to reschedule to earlier slots when new appointments are released.
The department also said embassies and consulates may waive in-person interview requirements for eligible applicants, although such cases are not reflected in published wait-time data.
According to the State Department, the “average wait time” metric measures the period between fee payment and the interview date for applicants in the previous month, while “next available appointment” estimates indicate when a new applicant could expect to secure an interview slot.
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