PTC Web Desk: The United States Embassy in India has announced the cancellation of nearly 2,000 visa appointments after detecting fraudulent activity involving automated bots. The embassy revealed that these appointments were made in violation of its scheduling policies and were linked to unauthorised booking practices.
In an official statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the US embassy said, "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."
The embassy further emphasised its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the visa process. "We will continue our anti-fraud efforts. We have zero tolerance for fraud," it added.
The crackdown targets a widespread issue in India, where certain travel agents reportedly use bots to block appointment slots, making it difficult for genuine applicants to secure dates directly. As a result, many applicants are forced to rely on these agents, often paying hefty sums to secure an earlier interview slot.
Currently, the average waiting time for B1/B2 visa interview appointments in India exceeds six months. However, agents reportedly offer faster appointments in exchange for payments ranging from Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000.
The US government issues visas under two main categories—non-immigrant and immigrant. Non-immigrant visas include temporary entry for tourism, business, education, or employment, such as the popular H-1B visa for skilled professionals. Immigrant visas, on the other hand, lead to permanent residency, also known as a Green Card, allowing holders to live and work in the US indefinitely.
- With inputs from agencies
