The Hindu : U.S. Embassy denies strict visa regimen

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jun 13, 2003

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Other States - New Delhi

U.S. Embassy denies strict visa regimen

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI JUNE 12. Allaying fears about stricter criterion for visa applications for the United States, its Embassy here today sought to clarify that there were no changes in their policy, though it would soon require all applicants, with certain exceptions, to appear in person for interviews. They also denied any changes in criterion for H1-B and L1 visas.

``Last year, we had issued a total of 2,75,000 visas and this year, we estimate a figure of 3,00,000, '' said an Embassy official on Wednesday. However, increasing security concerns, especially in the light of September 11, have led to more "complex procedures'' that have caused the recent delays in issuing visas. At the moment, it takes up to a week to get an appointment in Delhi, two weeks in Kolkata and Mumbai while in Chennai appointments are available only in August.

``We are trying to create a more integrated data base. And that is leading to backlogs. Internally, we need more time,'' said an Embassy official. With additional staff they hope to remedy the delays. In the case of Chennai, which records the largest number of applications, those who need to travel urgently can also apply from posts in Delhi and Kolkata, the official said.

Certain changes, however, would be introduced in the waiver rules. Though the date is yet to be fixed, once the change has been instituted, all applicants would be required to personally come for the interviews, except certain cases concerning renewal. Exceptions also include applicants above the age of 60-65 years who have not been denied visas before and also children below the age of two.

Attempting to clarify the "misunderstanding'' about the issuing of H1-B visas and L1 visas which are for business professionals and intra-company transfers respectively, Embassy officials said the procedures remained the same and any fall in the number of visas issued was due to economic reasons.

``According to our fiscal year, which starts in October, last year a total of 39,334 H1-B and L1 visas were issued. Already this year, in the past seven months, we have issued 26,764 visas,'' said the official.

At the moment, a total of 1,95,000 H1-B visas can be issued. However, this figure comes up for approval before Congress this year, without which it would fall to 65,000 at the end of September.

The basic rules for student visas also remains the same though a new system of tracking foreign students is in the pipeline. A first time student is not allowed to enter the country more than 30 days before the start of the semester.

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