The United States is taking stringent action against the misuse of automated bots blocking visa interview slots in India. This practice has forced many applicants to pay agents INR 30,000-35,000 per person to secure timely appointments. In response, the US Embassy in India announced on X (formerly Twitter) that it has cancelled approximately 2,000 visa appointments made using bots and suspended the scheduling privileges of the associated accounts.
The embassy emphasised its “zero tolerance” policy for agents and fixers violating scheduling regulations. “We have zero tolerance for agents and fixers who violate our scheduling policies. Effective immediately, we are cancelling these appointments and suspending the associated accounts’ scheduling privileges,” the post declared. This crackdown is part of ongoing anti-fraud measures aimed at ensuring fair access to visa appointments.
It is widely known within the travel industry that while regular applicants face long waiting periods for US visas—especially B1/B2 (business and visitor) and student visas—paying agents can secure slots within a month. This illegal practice has created a black market for expedited appointments, affecting genuine applicants and increasing costs for those seeking urgent travel.
By cancelling fraudulent appointments and suspending associated accounts, the US government aims to restore fairness and transparency in the visa scheduling process. The embassy reiterated its commitment to anti-fraud efforts and warned that further violations will face similar consequences. This move is expected to deter agents from exploiting the system while improving access for legitimate applicants.