The ready interval of first time B1/B2 visa candidates in India is shut to a few years.

New Delhi:

The US is endeavor “tremendous efforts” to unravel the issue of lengthy wait time in issuance of visas in India, US Charge d’Affaires Ambassador Elizabeth Jones stated on Friday, acknowledging that the scenario within the nation is especially “bad” due to the excessive demand.

The newly-appointed diplomat additionally stated that the problem is on the “top of the mind” of Washington and efforts being initiated to chop the wait time for grant of visas included recruitment and coaching of visa counsellors.

There have been rising considerations in India over the lengthy ready interval for first time visa candidates, particularly for these making use of beneath B1 (enterprise) and B2 (vacationer) classes.

At a media interplay, Jones stated the issue of lengthy wait time for visas was triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, including the lengthy backlogs have been reported from varied components of the globe.

“They are particularly bad in India because the demand for visas is so high. That’s one of the big elements; it’s one of the big differences,” she stated.

Jones additionally famous that super recruiting and coaching efforts are underway proper now in Washington to recruit and practice vice counsellors for a lot of many locations.

“Our mission in India is going to get quite a number of them… By the summer, we will be fully staffed here in Delhi and in our consulates to issue visas and do these interviews,” she stated.

The ready interval of first time B1/B2 visa candidates in India is shut to a few years.

“We know this has been very difficult. We have asked for your patience… I can guarantee you that this is a very serious issue that is on the top of the mind in Washington and there is a tremendous effort to solve the problem here in India,” Jones added.

She additionally famous that the US issued 82,000 visas to Indian college students this 12 months.

“We are extremely pleased to have really done a juggernaut effort to issue 82,000 student visas,” she stated.

Jones additionally stated that efforts are underway to “reduce and eliminate” the time for issuance of H1B visas.

Indians make up a big proportion of the recipients of H-1B and different work visas granted to expert international staff, many within the tech trade.

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that permits US corporations to make use of international staff in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical experience.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)