‘Obviously not ideal…’: US official on Indian citizens’ visa interviews abroad | Latest News India

Waiting times for visa interviews for U.S. visitors in India have decreased significantly this year due to an increase in the number of officials and new diplomatic missions handling those applications, according to a senior official. Julie Staft, deputy assistant secretary of state for visa services, said the goal is to issue 1 million U.S. visas this year, surpassing pre-pandemic numbers, news agency PTI reported.

“We have increased the number of our officers going to India. We are opening a new consulate…and we are focused on ensuring we can reduce wait times in India,” the PTI said.

The U.S. Visitor Visa is a nonimmigrant visa for those who wish to visit the United States for business (visa category B-1), tourism (visa category B-2), or a combination of both purposes (B-1/B). . -2). Visitor visas cannot be issued for study, employment, paid performances, arrival on ships or aircraft as crew members, foreign press, or permanent residence in the United States.

Staft noted that Frankfurt, London and Abu Dhabi host many Indian nationals seeking visas.

“We asked these missions to bring Indians as if they were from their host country. at the place.

“Obviously, this is not ideal, we want Indians to be able to apply in India and that is what we are aiming for,” she said.

Over 100 US diplomatic missions issue visas to Indians.

“As a result of all these efforts, wait times for visitor visa interviews have been reduced by 60% in the last two months alone. “

In addition to visitor visas, Stufft said the U.S. State Department is working on other types of visas, including student visas.

“Because we were able to extend the interview exemption, fewer Indians needed to come to the embassy or consulate for an interview, so we were able to proceed without meeting the applicant. has consular officers in dozens of countries, so this has helped us a lot.Who is actually processing these Indian visas remotely,” said Staffto. Told.

This allows people who don’t need an interview and who have previously traveled to the United States to get their visas in a record time of less than two weeks, she said.

(with PTI input)