Some UAE residents seeking US visas for vacations or business trips have discovered a quicker alternative: applying in neighboring Gulf countries.
Due to a high volume of applications, the waiting time for US visa appointments in the UAE can extend up to a year, as reported by local travel agents.
Faced with this significant delay, Indian expatriate Anshil Ponthuveetil Thekkumpurath opted to apply at the US Consulate General in Al Khobar, Dammam, Saudi Arabia. “In the UAE, it was taking 10-12 months, or possibly even longer.
I needed the US visa urgently, so I went to Saudi Arabia. The whole process took just seven days, and I received my passport with the US visa stamped on it within that time,” he shared. Remarkably, Thekkumpurath found the US visa process easier compared to obtaining Schengen or Canadian visas.
Ron Packowitz, the country consular coordinator at the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi, previously informed Khaleej Times that US visa appointments can be scheduled in any country, allowing applicants to choose their preferred location.
Shamsheed CV, a senior consultant for outbound travel at Wisefox Tourism, mentioned that US visa appointments in the UAE are currently booked until July 2025. He advised applicants to consider neighboring GCC countries for faster processing times. “In Oman, the wait is around three months, 2-3 weeks in Bahrain, and similar in Saudi Arabia.
If applicants clear the interview, they can get their passport back in five days and return to the UAE,” Shamsheed explained. He added that both individuals and families from the UAE are taking advantage of this option, though many are still unaware of it.
TP Sudheesh, general manager of Deira Travel and Tourist Agency, confirmed that earlier appointments are available in other parts of the GCC, such as Muscat and Saudi Arabia. “Many people needing to travel to the US urgently are choosing this option,” he said.
Mir Wasim Raja, manager for MICE and holidays at Galadari International Travel Services, also acknowledged that applicants aiming for quicker US visa approvals are turning to GCC countries.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi has advised visa applicants to arrive at the Consular Section no more than 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment time. It is also noted that children under 14 are not required to attend visa interviews unless explicitly instructed.
