US Consulate in Mumbai eases backlog by screening 1500 applications in 'Super Saturday' visa drive
US Consulate in Mumbai organized a special 'Super Saturday' drive on March 9, screening 1,500 visa applicants. The diverse group of applicants included elderly parents visiting their children, students pursuing education abroad, temporaorkers, tourists, and businessmen, many of whom were first-time visitors.
'Super Saturday' drives, initiated sporadically since 2022, are set to become a quarterly feature going forward. The surge in demand had previously led to a waiting period of up to 1,000 days. However, concerted efforts to increase manpower and resources have significantly reduced the backlog, according to visa chief Katherine Estes.
The consulate has encouraged individuals to apply directly rather than relying on agents, emphasizing the importance of monitoring the consulate's website for visa appointment openings. On the 'Super Saturday,' consular authorities made arrangements for seating, water, food, and wheelchairs to facilitate the applicants' experience.
The US Consulate's spokesperson, Greg Pardo, highlighted that applicants traveled from various parts of the country, not limited to Maharashtra and western India. He emphasized that visa openings are regularly updated on the website, allowing applicants to seek visas from any embassy or consulate based on their preferences and the waiting period in different locations.
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The move aims to streamline the visa application process, enabling applicants to choose locations with shorter waiting
