Name: manvi

Appeared today in Times of India!So the rumors are true,just cross your fingers that we get lucky!

Travellers to appear in person for US visa after July

PTI[ WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2003 07:35:36 PM ]

NEW DELHI: All those intending to travel to the US after July will be required to appear in person for visa, the American Embassy said here on Wednesday as it admitted to long delays in issuance of the travel documents leading to a huge backlog.



The limit of 'HiB' category visas will also be reduced to Rs 65,000 a year, an Embassy official told reporters here pointing out that the figure had touched 1,95,000 last year.



He pointed out that the \";security of borders\"; of the US was the main concern of Washington while issuing visas in the wake of September 11,2001 attacks and those intending to travel to that country would have to be \";convincing on the purpose of the visit\";.



The official, however, sought to allay 'confusions' that the US had cut down on issuance of visas to Indians, stating that last year (in the cycle of October to September) up to 2,75,000 persons were cleared for travel making India the second largest country to be issued visas.



At least 66,400 visas were issued under Student category.



This year the number is expected to rise to 3,00,000, he said, adding most of them were businessmen.



He said the number of 'H' and 'L' visas has gone down, mainly because of economic reasons.



The official said certain 'important' changes had also been made in the criteria for issuance of student visas although the basic rules remain the same. The changes prescribe that no student can apply before 90 days of travel and if the visa is granted, he cannot enter America earlier than 30 days of joining an institute.



He said 98 per cent of rejections were because of applicants' failure to present sufficient reasons to convince that he would return to India after a short stay.



The official admitted that the process of issuance of visas was taking a long time, exceptionally more in Chennai, \";building backlogs\";.



While in Delhi it takes a week, in Kolkata it takes two weeks, in Mumbai it takes two to three weeks, and in Chennai it takes more time as the demand has \";increased dramatically\";, he said.



\";We are trying to speed up the process as much as possible,\"; the official said, adding that additional staff was being earmarked to clear the backlog.



Those in Chennai having genuine cases can apply in Delhi and Kolkata, he said.



He stressed that the Embassy was trying to make the system as transparent as possible.

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