Heavy rush to fly to the US; people struggle to get visa appointments

Heavy rush to fly to the US; people struggle to get visa appointments

‘Direct Flight To The US Would’ve Helped’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:17.06.2021

There is a big rush to fly to the US after that country resumed processing of visa applications. The demand is so high that people waiting to travel say slots for appointment for visa interviews get booked as soon as they open.

Students have to be present at the universities by the end of July or August. Since June 14, the US consulate has been offering appointments for July and August for people to submit biometrics and to appear for interviews.

As this is considered as a sign of the US trying to open its borders for international travel, people waiting to travel back have also started to apply. But, it has not been easy.

The website slows down as too many people are trying. The US Consulate in Chennai is the nearest centre for people from Kerala, Karnataka and parts of Andhra Pradesh.

Suvarna K*(name changed), whose daughter needs to go to the US, said she was trying every morning but had not got the slots for Chennai. “I prefer Chennai as travelling to Mumbai or Delhi is not preferred now. There are too many people applying as students admitted to undergraduate and postgraduate courses and for doctoral studies have to travel soon.”

People travelling for work have been hit. Sanjeev Kumar*, who needs to join work next month in the US, said the site is down every now and then. “The slots are booked soon after they appear. I am hoping to get through soon. I have been working from home in Chennai but a project has come up which needs my presence. The company has given the green signal. But I am finding it tough to get the appointment for a visa.”

Basheer Ahmed of Chennai Metro Travels said the demand for travel was high from Chennai because students prefer US universities and many have relatives there. “This is a good sign. Only students and those returning to work are travelling now. But many who want to visit relatives are calling up travel agents. If so many people want to travel now, there will be good traffic if the US allows direct flights from India. It will help resume international travel.”

A spokesperson for US Consulate General Chennai said since June 14, thousands of students have secured visa appointments for July-August. “Thousands of appointments remain available and we will open thousands more in coming weeks. Due to the high volumes of demand, some applicants may encounter system delays. We encourage them to be patient... Applicants should remember to not refresh too often, as they may be locked out of their account.”

TIME TO REOPEN: A view of the Chennai airport. Several tour operators have said the demand for travel is high from Chennai because students prefer US universities