US eases visa application norms for Indians

The US has eased visa application norms for Indians wishing to travel to the country for business and leisure.

Children under seven years of age are not required to appear for a non-immigrant visa interview after completed visa form is submitted. An applicant would not have to pay visa fees again if he reapplies after his application had been earlier kept on hold or shown pending for various reasons under section 221g of US visa rules.

In Mumbai, the US consulate has opened over 40 windows. This has reduced the waiting time for a visa interview with a consular officer to one hour as compared to three hours earlier.

The consulate has further upgraded its emergency appointment module for applicants seeking visas in case of unforeseen travel. Such applicants would get an automated email text reply notifying the status of their request made for emergency appointment