Article in rediff.com: (i am not sure how far its true)
http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/jun/11visa.htm
>>
There has been a huge delay in the issue of American visas in India on account of heightened security measures after September 11, according to United States officials.
The delay is the worst in Chennai, which figured last year among the world's top 12 US visa centres. There, a visa-seeker submitting her application to the US consulate today is likely to be called for an interview only by the end of August, unless it is an emergency.
The delay in New Delhi is one week, two weeks in Calcutta, and two to three weeks in Mumbai.
But the delays in New Delhi and Calcutta are likely to increase with the US deciding on Wednesday, June 11, to allow applicants from Chennai to apply at these centres.
The delay in procuring visas can "affect students, businessmen, etc, so we are taking some steps and looking at our procedures", a senior US embassy official announcing the decision in New Delhi said.
The move is important because visa procedures are likely to be tightened from August 1. All visa applicants will then have to appear in person, except those renewing their visas before expiry in the same category.
The exemption will be extended to some classes of senior citizens and children. But the rest will have to appear in person.
>>
http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/jun/11visa.htm
>>
There has been a huge delay in the issue of American visas in India on account of heightened security measures after September 11, according to United States officials.
The delay is the worst in Chennai, which figured last year among the world's top 12 US visa centres. There, a visa-seeker submitting her application to the US consulate today is likely to be called for an interview only by the end of August, unless it is an emergency.
The delay in New Delhi is one week, two weeks in Calcutta, and two to three weeks in Mumbai.
But the delays in New Delhi and Calcutta are likely to increase with the US deciding on Wednesday, June 11, to allow applicants from Chennai to apply at these centres.
The delay in procuring visas can "affect students, businessmen, etc, so we are taking some steps and looking at our procedures", a senior US embassy official announcing the decision in New Delhi said.
The move is important because visa procedures are likely to be tightened from August 1. All visa applicants will then have to appear in person, except those renewing their visas before expiry in the same category.
The exemption will be extended to some classes of senior citizens and children. But the rest will have to appear in person.
>>