Thanks to a recent update to the visa interview scheduling system, at http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in; now U.S. non-immigrant visa applicants in India can view the number of appointments available for every time slot. For example if an interview time is available for September 3, 2013 at 10:30 a.m., the new system will list the number of appointments that are available for the 10:30 a.m. slot. This information will be useful while scheduling a group appointment.

Additionally, after logging on to www.ustraveldocs.com/in, the U.S. visa applicant will now be able to view the first available interview date on the left panel of his/her screen. Previously, visa applicants could know this only after the visa application fee was paid and updated on the US Travel Docs system. This feature is a very useful for nonimmigrant visa applicants; especially if s/he does not reside in a place where the U.S. Embassy or consulate is located and needs to plan the travel ahead of paying the fees or scheduling the appointment.