Na aka Not Available. The message pops up once too many on a Telegram group comprising 65,139 members. On December 8, a few of them struck gold. “Delhi slots available,” one member shared. It was followed by a chain of responses from others, who had experienced similar luck. The group was started recently for H-1B and H4 visa holders in the US, seeking leads on consular appointments, to get their visas extended or renewed. Another Telegram community for US visa stampings with 80,297 members, focuses on addressing issues concerning emergency appointments—every day, the group is flooded with questions related to scheduling and re-scheduling interviews. For many of them, who’ve spent the last 20 months away from home, unable to meet their families, the consular appointment is their only “ticket” to a reunion. Their wait has been inordinate.

With the American embassy and consulates in India, including the US Consulate General in Mumbai, continuing to take measures to protect its staff and customers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the number of visa applicants in their indoor waiting rooms at any given time, have been limited. “These necessary precautions, along with staffing shortage, may result in significant wait times for visa interview appointments,” Nick Novak, spokesperson, US Consulate General, Mumbai, admitted to mid-day.