The US is speeding up the process of issuing visas in India, with additional staff being added to the Hyderabad consulate and new consulates set to open in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, according to Eric Garcetti, the US Ambassador to New Delhi.
Garcetti revealed that more personnel have already joined the Hyderabad consulate, and premises are being secured in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad for the establishment of new consulates.
During his recent visit to Ahmedabad to watch the India-Australia World Cup cricket final, Garcetti inspected the new premises that the US is acquiring to establish a consulate in the city.
The Ambassador also noted that the number of US visas issued in India has increased one-third in recent weeks as part of the effort to clear the backlog. He mentioned that the waiting time for US visas for students and tourists has decreased, ranging from six months to a year depending on the office where the application is submitted.
However, the US is focused on expediting the visa issuance process for Indian nationals. Garcetti acknowledged that the delays were due to the rising number of applicants, adding that similar issues were being faced in other large countries such as Brazil and Mexico.
The move to increase staff and establish new consulates is part of a wider push to streamline the visa application process and reduce waiting times for applicants. The US Embassy is committed to addressing the challenges posed the growing demand for visas in India.