Visa Walls Rise Higher: Trump’s Second Term Hits Indian Tourists and Students Hard

New Rule in Effect from September 2

In a sweeping policy change, the United States has mandated that all non-immigrant visa (NIV) applicants must now appear for interviews in their home country or country of residence. Effective from September 2, the move ends the long-standing practice of Indians applying through third-country consulates like Thailand or Singapore to bypass wait times.

Impact on Indian Applicants

The change affects a wide spectrum of travellers – from tourists and business visitors to students, temporary workers, and even marriage-based applicants. With waiting periods of 3.5 months in Hyderabad and Mumbai, four months in Delhi, and nearly nine months in Kolkata, Indian applicants will now be forced to endure lengthy queues.

End of “Visa Runs”

For years, desperate applicants had resorted to “visa runs” – flying to Bangkok, Singapore, Frankfurt, or even Brazil to secure faster interview slots. Travel agents turned this into a thriving side industry, offering forged itineraries, accommodation, and logistical support. The new rules have shut down this workaround, confining applicants to India’s already overburdened consulates.

A Strategic Escalation in US-India Tensions

Observers see this as more than a bureaucratic adjustment. In the backdrop of rising tariffs on Indian steel and pharmaceuticals and worsening trade disputes, the Trump administration’s tightening of visa policy signals a strategic escalation. Preliminary State Department data shows a 20% drop in visa issuances in 2025 compared to the Obama years. Experts suggest the clampdown is retaliatory, applying pressure on India over trade and jobs.

End of Interview Waiver Flexibility

Previously, under the Interview Waiver Programme (IWP), children under 14, seniors over 79, and certain visa renewals were often exempted from face-to-face interviews. The new rules significantly scale back these exemptions. Now, almost all applicants – regardless of age – must appear in person, except in rare discretionary cases.

Limited Relief for Frequent Travellers

A small carve-out remains: applicants who received B-1, B-2, or B-1/B-2 visas within the past year and were at least 18 at the time of issuance may still qualify for interview waivers. However, this is limited and subject to the discretion of consular officers. Immigration lawyers warn that average Indian families planning weddings, holidays, or study abroad must prepare for longer delays.

Economic Ripple Effects

India is the largest source of NIV applicants to the US, with 1.2 million applications annually, fueling a $10 billion tourism and remittance channel. The slowdown could impact small businesses, educational exchanges, and even strain the $150 billion Indo-US trade relationship. The travel industry is already exploring alternatives, from AI-based wait-time predictors to lobbying for more US consular staff in India. Some even suggest a bilateral fast-track visa agreement similar to the US-Canada model, though trade tensions make it unlikely.

Historical Echoes and Criticism

This hardline stance recalls the restrictive 1920s US Immigration Act, though adapted to modern geopolitics. The Trump administration justifies the move citing national security and a 15% increase in visa overstays by Indians in 2024. Critics, however, argue it is discriminatory, disproportionately targeting developing nations while giving allies like the EU lighter scrutiny. As one journalist quipped: “It’s less about walls now, and more about waiting rooms.”

Festive Season Woes

The timing is particularly harsh for Indian families, with Diwali travel season approaching. The US Embassy in Delhi has urged applicants to book appointments only through the official portal and ensure complete documentation. For many, however, ambitious travel plans are turning into bureaucratic nightmares.

Larger Implications

This shift underscores the fragility of global mobility during trade wars. It raises pressing questions about the future of Indo-US ties and whether India will pivot more strongly toward the EU or Australia for education, business, and migration opportunities. As policy swings like a pendulum – from Obama-era openness to Trump-era restrictions – the outcome may only become clear in the next election cycle.