India 'number one' priority, have reduced wait time for visa: US
2 min read . Updated: 22 Feb 2023, 09:40 AM IST
Premium- So far this year, US issued 36% more visas, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Visa Services in the Bureau of Consular Affairs said
The United States visa officials have said that India is their number one priority and added that there has been a rise of around 36% in visa processing across the country.
During an event organised by Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies, US Deputy Assistant Secretary for Visa Services in the Bureau of Consular Affairs Julie Stufft said, "India is the number one priority that we are facing right now. We are absolutely committed to getting out of this situation. Anyone in India seeking a visa appointment or visa have to wait for that's not certainly our ideal".
According to Stufft, "This year, we have issued 36% more visas than we did before the Covid pandemic in India. And that is a huge percentage of progress".
Further, the visa official said this winter, the country will start the Visa stamping programme domestically within the US for visa renewals, including H-1 and L-1.
"This fall will be the first that we'll be able to put out a call for applications. The pilot is this summer..and we're gonna be doing it for people in worker status. So that would be H's and L and, and I's," the official added.
The officials said Indian applicants who happen to be travelling for business to another country can go and apply for a US visa. Citing the example of countries like Thailand and Germany Sufft noted, "We've also opened up other missions and this is actually unprecedented. We've asked other US embassies to take on India visa applicants specifically if they choose to travel there".
Last month, the US Mission in India launched the first in a series of special Saturday interview days to reduce wait times for first-time visa applicants.
In several Indian cities like Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, the US embassy and consulates opened consular operations on Saturday to accommodate applicants who require in-person visa interviews.
Besides, the officials said that the Department of State has implemented remote processing of interview waiver cases for applicants with previous US visas. According to the statement, dozens of temporary consular officers from Washington and other embassies will arrive in India to increase processing capacity in March as well.