In a major crackdown on fraudulent practices, the US Embassy in India announced on Wednesday that it has cancelled approximately 2,000 visa appointments that were illegally booked using bot accounts. The Embassy emphasized its zero-tolerance policy toward misuse of the visa scheduling system and confirmed that it has suspended the accounts involved.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the Embassy said:
“Consular Team India is cancelling about 2,000 visa appointments made by bots. We have zero tolerance for agents and fixers that violate our scheduling policies. Effective immediately, we are cancelling these appointments and suspending the associated accounts’ scheduling privileges.”
Tightening Security Measures
The move comes as part of the US Embassy’s broader effort to ensure fair access to visa appointments and prevent individuals or agencies from exploiting the system. Bots, automated programs used to secure appointments in bulk, have been a persistent issue, creating hurdles for genuine applicants seeking timely visa slots.
By cancelling these fraudulent bookings, the Embassy aims to free up appointment slots for legitimate applicants and reinforce its commitment to transparency and fairness in visa processing.
Impact on Visa Applicants
Visa appointments for travel to the US, particularly for work, study, and tourism, are in high demand in India. The misuse of the scheduling system by third-party agents has made it difficult for genuine applicants to secure slots, often forcing them to pay exorbitant fees to intermediaries.
The Embassy has urged applicants to book appointments directly through official channels and avoid using unauthorized agents to prevent further disruptions or cancellation of appointments.
This latest action underscores the US government’s ongoing efforts to combat fraud while maintaining efficient and fair visa services for Indian applicants.
