US cancels 2,000 visa appointments made by 'bots' in India
What's the story
The US Embassy in India has scrapped more than 2,000 visa applications after finding them to be fraudulent.
The embassy reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for agents and intermediaries who indulge in such practices and, as such, canceled them.
"Consular Team India identified bad actors who made about 2,000 visa appointments that violated our scheduling policies. Effective immediately, we are cancelling these appointments and suspending the associated accounts' scheduling privileges," it said on X.
Agent exploitation
Agents exploit long wait times for US visa
To get early visa appointments, many of them pay agents ₹30,000-35,000.
The wait time for a B1/B2 visa is more than six months, but those who pay the fee can acquire one in as little as a month.
"We tried to get a visa interview date on our own for our child,...but nothing was available within the required timeframe. We paid an agent ₹30,000 and got the same in time," an applicant told TOI.
Global response
Visa delays prompt US to open appointments in other countries
Regular applicants cannot get early dates because agents employ bots to block appointment spots, TOI sources said.
In 2023, when wait times went up to 999 days, the US opened appointments for Indians in Frankfurt and Bangkok.
At that time, it was 486 days in Chennai, 526 days in Delhi, 571 days in Mumbai, and 607 days in Kolkata.