Current Status of U.S. Visa Services by Country – April 2025

As of April 2025, the U.S. Department of State continues to make significant progress in restoring visa services worldwide. Following disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, many consulates and embassies have resumed operations, though the pace of recovery varies by country.

Country-Specific Updates

• India: The U.S. Consulate in Mumbai has resumed immigrant visa services. However, non-immigrant visa processing remains limited due to high demand and staffing constraints.
• China: U.S. consulates in Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenyang are offering full consular services. Shanghai is currently providing only emergency consular services.
• Russia: The U.S. Embassy in Moscow has suspended all immigrant visa services due to staffing reductions. Russian citizens must now apply through the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, Poland.

Overall Visa Issuance Progress

In the fiscal year 2024, the U.S. Department of State issued a record-breaking 11.5 million visas, including 8.5 million tourist visas, marking a 10% increase from the previous year.

Additionally, average wait times for first-time visa applicants have been reduced by nearly 60% since the pandemic peak, with many locations reporting wait times of less than 60 days.
(Source: Y-Axis

Potential Restrictions on the Horizon

As of March 2025, reports indicate that the U.S. administration is considering new travel restrictions for nationals of up to 41 countries, citing security concerns. These restrictions could involve either full or partial suspensions of visa processing for affected countries.
(Source: The Guardian

Advice for Applicants

Given the current dynamics of U.S. visa services, applicants are advised to:

• Check the official website of their local U.S. embassy or consulate for the latest updates on available services and wait times.
• Plan applications well in advance to avoid last-minute complications due to possible delays.
• Monitor official announcements for updates on new visa policies or country-specific restrictions.

Conclusion

While the U.S. visa system is steadily recovering, country-specific challenges and policy shifts remain. Staying informed through official sources is essential for smooth visa application planning in 2025 and beyond.