Now, more H-1Bs waiting for you

[sanereddy]

The total number of non-immigrant visas (NIVs) for the US issued from India has gone up by 10 per cent over the last one year. This despite the new rule which was introduced in mid-July that makes biometric identifiers, and hence a personal visit to the embassy or consular section, compulsory for most first time applicants of NIVs.

All applicants between the ages of 14 and 79, except those on official government business, are now required to apply in person, thus slowing down the process of issuing visas.

But extra time notwithstanding, this year (October 2003-September 2004), the US Embassy and consulates expect to issue around 3,00,000 NIVs against 2,78,000 last year in various categories including B-1/B-2 visitor visas for business and pleasure, H-1 work permits , L-1 intra-company transfers and F-1 student visas.

The good news for Indian companies is that the maximum increase has been in the \'H\' category work permits despite the annual cap of 65,000 introduced last year. There were 28,730 H1Bs issued last year.

\"The business and tourist categories have shown an overall increase while the student categories have remained almost the same as last year. The latter shows that despite competition from other countries, the US still remains No 1 destination for Indian students,\'\' an US embassy official told The Economic Times To cope with the rush at the embassy and other consular posts, we have added two new windows in Delhi, five in Chennai and three in Mumbai. We have also inducted new staff members,\'\' he added.

Currently, the backlog, or the average wait time to get a visa appointment, is approximately 60 days in Chennai, 30 in Delhi, 25 in Mumbai and two weeks in Kolkata