Page 2 - Us Visa Norm

Want visa system to be simple, swift: MEA on 1,000-day US visa wait

Amid reports that people in India seeking a tourist or business visa for the US may have to wait for three years to get one, the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said it has not raised the matter with the country, but expects the visa system of a country to be predictable and less time taking. According to media reports, those planning to visit the United States on visitor visas - B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) - will have to wait for nearly three years and the waiting time for applicants in India is close to 1,000 days. Asked if the matter had been taken up with the US, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "We want that when people want to go somewhere, the visa system should be simple. This is our expectation." He said it had not been taken up formally because "we would not want someone commenting on our system." "But we would want the system to be predictable, simple and does not take much time. We have seen the (US) embassy here has said that they are taking steps to .

US visa processing time expected to fall by mid-2023, says official

The waiting period for issuance of American visas is expected to see a significant fall by summer of 2023 and the number is projected to reach around 1.2 million, a senior official of the US embassy said on Thursday. "India is number one priority for Washington (for issuance of visas). Our aim is to bring the situation to the pre-Covid-19 level by the middle of next year," the official said. India has been one of the very few countries where applications for US visas saw a major upswing after coronavirus-related travel restrictions were lifted. Considering the long wait time for grant of visas, the US is also rolling out a series of initiatives including hiring of more personnel and increasing the "drop box" facilities, the official said. The plan is to issue around one lakh visas every month. The official said the US has already identified H (H1B) and L category visas for Indians as its priority and nearly 1,00,000 slots were released recently for those wanting to renew the ...

Study abroad applications for US, Aus rise amid pent-up demand post Covid

Easier norms support upsurge; US remains top destination for STEM students

US group opposes Biden admin's decision to reverse Trump era H1B visa norms

"President (Joe) Biden often portrays himself as a man from the 'working class' who is a tireless defender of the American worker," said FAIR president Dan Stein

US reaches Congressionally-mandated 65,000 H-1B visa cap for 2021

Successful applicants would be decided by a computerised draw of lots

US Senate passes bill stamping out per-country cap for work-based visas

The legislation will hugely benefit hundreds of thousands of Indian professionals in America who have been waiting for years to get their green cards

Number of Indian students in the US fell to 3-year low in FY20: Report

The number of Indian students studying in American universities and colleges fell 4.4 per cent in 2019-20 (FY20) year-on-year

US agency hikes processing fee for visa applications by up to 75%

Hike may have a short-term cost impact on IT Indian companies, which are already ramping up hiring in the US and offshoring projects elsewhere.

IT firms likely to send more work to India as US proposes H-1B visa changes

Indian companies may step up US hiring after Trump administration's proposal to make changes in visa rules.

H1-B visa should be used for highly paid talent to create US jobs: Trump

It called for prohibiting American employers from using H-1B workers to displace Americans in outsourcing contracts

US noted India's concerns over new visa rule for foreign students: MEA

The Trump administration has announced those F-1 and M-1 (non-academic and vocational students) visa holders planning to take online classes only will not be allowed to remain in the US

Unstamped visa holders, new applicants in a fix over Trump's order

Around 1,500 non-resident Indians, who travelled for family emergencies and annual vacations are stranded in India since the lockdown

US to consider extension applications of non-immigrant visas amid Covid-19

Typically the USCIS can extend the stay of any Non-Immigrant Visa application based on genuine and urgent conditions

US imposes visa restriction on nations that failed to meet security norms

The new restrictions will not apply to tourist, business, or other nonimmigrant travel

'No more birth tourism': US to impose visa restrictions for pregnant women

"Visa applicants deemed by consular officers to be coming to the US primarily to give birth will now be treated like other foreigners coming to the US for medical treatment"

Trump effect? Future of 60,000 spouses of Indian H-1B visa holders at stake

The previous Obama administration under an executive order in 2015 had started giving work authorisation permits to certain categories of H-4 visa holders, who were mostly spouses of H-1B visa holders

New US rules to delay visa extension process: Nasscom

Move to impact domestic IT sector, already facing pressure on revenue growth and profitability front