UAE residents who are planning to visit the United States should be prepared to wait, as the earliest available appointment for a US visa is now one year away, according to travel industry experts. Dhas Antony, the general manager of Rejoice Tourism LLC, stated that the closest available date for an appointment in Dubai is October 18, 2024, and in Abu Dhabi, it’s only in November 2024.

Industry experts note that visa appointment slots in the UAE are filling up quickly, with many residents securing appointments six to eight months in advance. As these slots are being booked, some experts predict that appointments will not be available until March 2025 in the near future.

Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager for inbound and outbound operations at Regal Tours Worldwide, confirmed the high demand for US visas among UAE residents. He stated that they receive over a hundred inquiries daily, indicating the eagerness of UAE residents to travel to the US. The available appointment slots for one year from now are filling up rapidly, and it is expected that appointments in 2025 will soon be available.

However, there is an alternative for UAE residents. Experts say that UAE residents have the privilege to request a US visa appointment in any GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) nation, which can be obtained within a few days to a month. Many residents are opting to travel to neighboring countries for their visa appointments, taking advantage of this privilege.

The types of US visit visas available are the B1 visa, for business purposes, and the B2 visa, for tourism. The B2 visa allows individuals to enter the US and stay for up to six months. The visa application process involves completing the DS-160 online form, paying the visa fee, scheduling a visa interview appointment, and preparing the required documents.

To apply for a US visit visa, residents need to check the type of visa they require, find out where to submit their application in the UAE, complete the online application form, pay the visa fee, schedule a visa interview appointment, gather the necessary documents, and attend the visa interview.

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In summary, with the high demand for US visas among UAE residents, the earliest available appointment is now one year away. However, residents can explore the option of applying for a US visa appointment in any GCC nation, where appointments can be obtained within a few days to a month. The application process involves completing an online form, attending a visa interview, and providing the required documents. It is important for residents to stay informed about the latest news and updates in this regard.