Lack of short-term US visa availability impacting tech companies

Unavailability of appointments for the short-term B1/B2 US visas is impacting tech companies, hampering their ability to meet with clients and seek new business in their biggest market.

While B1/B2 visa holders cannot work in the US, these permits are used for personal or business travel for client meetings and attending events and conferences which are an important way of signing on new business, especially for small and medium enterprises. As on Monday, the earliest appointment for a short-term visa was available after more than 700 days (about two years) in Mumbai and Delhi.