US visa - new norm to reduce waiting time

[sajiv]

US visa: new norm to reduce waiting time

HYDERABAD: The United States Consulate General, Hyderabad, has come out with a new policy to reduce the waiting time for visa applicants and congestion at the office front gate from July 6 onwards.

From that day, visa applicants will be admitted to the office no more than 30 minutes prior to the time indicated on their appointment letter and applicants should not join the queue at the front gate till then. Those who arrive earlier will be asked to leave and return at the appropriate time. The new policy is designed to decrease the time each applicant spends at the office waiting for the interview as well as to make sure the waiting room is not over crowded. "We will make sure that everyone with an appointment will get their interview," said U.S. Consulate General Cornelis M. Keur on Monday.

He noted that many people who know they are travelling for months in advance wait only days before their departure to apply for a visa. Instead, travellers should apply for their visa at least two weeks in advance of their departure. As there is no parking near the office and limited facilities for those arriving early, the Consulate General encourages applicants to come alone, a press release said. The office also does not permit any mobiles, cameras, recording devices, food, packages etc.