US visa demand graph moves upward: consulate opened in Hyderabad

Oct 11: In view of the revelation of the department of commerce of US which reports the arrival of around more than 4 lacs people from India to US in the year 2006 US has decided to open a new Consulate General in the capital of Andhra Pradesh.

The decision has been taken on the basis of the fact of 1/3 visa seekers being from Andhra Pradesh.

In 2006 an increase of 18 percent in the visitors to USA has been registered. Due to this increase India will come in the list of the top ten countries visiting USA.

US assistant secretary of state for consular affairs, Maura Harty said that this high growth area is likely to grow by 61 percent which is indicated by the fact that already this year 725,000 visas have been issued which is an increase of 58 percent.

US has the highest number of students in its institutions from India and currently 50,000 student visa applications are under consideration for this year. Indian population constitutes 17 percent of people visiting USA every year.

Dwelling on the issue of middlemen Harty said that issue has figured in her talks with Indian officials and is an area of concern. She cautioned against such advertisements which make fools. She said that all the information is available on the website.

She is also scheduled to meet the students group and the Indian chamber of commerce and industry.

She also told that Bush administration can increase the annual limit of American work permits only with the approval of Congress.

Apart from the opening of new consulate in Hyderabad new buildings are being added to the Mumbai, and Delhi which will handle the immigration visa process.

She also told that applicants can now use an electronic visa application form. Staffs are also being expanded so that more candidates may be interviewed.

In New Delhi a renovation project will be started which will add more interviewing windows.