Update on interviews and backlogsOn Oct. 21, 2022, the Department of State (DOS) provided an update on worldwide visa operations, stating that embassies around the world are “recovering faster than expected from the COVID-19 pandemic.” This update provides encouraging information for people who are eligible for visas and are told that they are “documentarily complete” but have been waiting for their immigrant visa interviews. DOS explained that there were two main reasons why the backlog for interviews happened because of the COVID-19 pandemic. For non-immigrant visa applicants, embassies are operating at 94 percent of pre-pandemic monthly averages. For immigrant visa applicants, embassies are operating at 130 percent, which means they are now processing more immigrant visa applicants than before the pandemic. DOS acknowledges that it is well aware that many visa applicants still face lengthy wait times at some embassies and consulates.
