In a bilateral meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed concerns about the increasing delays faced by Indian citizens in obtaining US visas. Jaishankar highlighted the impact of these delays on business, tourism, and people-to-people interactions, stressing the need for urgent attention to the issue. He also mentioned the strong trust between India and the US, and the desire to further strengthen the bilateral relationship and cooperate on regional and global issues, including the Quad.
India Raises Concerns Over US Visa Delays, Visa Fees Hike
In a recent bilateral meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar raised concerns about the increasing delays faced by Indian citizens in obtaining US visas. Jaishankar highlighted the negative impact these delays have on business, tourism, and people-to-people interactions between the two countries.
Background:
The issue of US visa delays for Indians has been a long-standing problem. In recent months, the delays have become even more severe, with some applicants waiting over a year for their visas to be processed. The delays have been attributed to a number of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, staffing shortages at US embassies and consulates, and increased demand for visas.
The hike in visa fees is another issue that has been raised by Jaishankar. The US government recently announced that it will be increasing the fees for certain types of visas, including the H-1B and L-1 visas, which are commonly used by Indian workers. The increase in fees is expected to make it more difficult for Indian professionals to work in the United States.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers:
1. Why are there delays in US visa processing for Indians?
The delays are due to a number of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, staffing shortages at US embassies and consulates, and increased demand for visas.
2. How long are the delays?
The delays vary depending on the type of visa and the embassy or consulate where the application is being processed. Some applicants are waiting over a year for their visas to be processed.
3. What is the US government doing to address the delays?
The US government has taken a number of steps to address the delays, including increasing staffing at embassies and consulates, prioritizing the processing of certain types of visas, and expanding the use of technology to automate the visa process.
4. Why has the US government increased the fees for certain types of visas?
The US government has increased the fees for certain types of visas to cover the costs of processing the visas. The increase in fees is also intended to discourage the use of certain types of visas, such as the H-1B visa, which has been criticized for displacing American workers.
5. What is India doing to address the concerns of Indian visa applicants?
India has raised concerns about the delays and fee increases with the US government. India is also working to improve the efficiency of its own visa process.
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