PTI

New Delhi, December 2

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

The newly-appointed diplomat additionally mentioned 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 issues 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 mentioned the issue of lengthy wait time for visas was triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, including the lengthy backlogs had been reported from numerous elements 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 mentioned.

Jones additionally famous that great 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 mentioned.

The ready interval of first time B1/B2 visa candidates in India is shut to 3 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 mentioned.

Jones additionally mentioned 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 overseas employees, many within the tech trade.

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