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Pakistani ambassador KK Wagan was deported from the US, citing immigration objections. This incident, amid US travel ban discussions, strains Pakistan-US relations.

Pakistani Diplomat Denied US Entry

KK Wagan, Pakistan's ambassador to Turkmenistan, was deported from the US due to immigration objections, sparking tensions amid potential US travel bans.

Pakistani diplomat denied entry to US amid immigration concerns

Pakistani diplomat KK Wagan was deported from the US due to immigration objections despite having valid travel documents. The incident, amid possible US travel bans, strains Islamabad-Washington relations.

In a diplomatic setback for Pakistan, a senior diplomat was denied entry into the United States despite possessing a valid visa and the required documentation, according to a report by The News, a prominent Pakistani media outlet.
KK Wagan, serving as Pakistan's ambassador to Turkmenistan, was intercepted by U.S. immigration officials upon his arrival in Los Angeles and subsequently deported.
The report, citing an unnamed source from the Pakistan foreign ministry, indicated that the diplomat faced an "immigration objection."
Mr. Wagan, an experienced diplomat, was visiting Los Angeles for personal reasons.
Although he traveled with a valid U.S. visa and appropriate travel documents, immigration officials raised concerns regarding adherence to diplomatic protocol. Specific concerns were noted about "controversial visa references," though the report, mentioning diplomatic sources, did not provide further details on these issues.
Following the objections, Mr. Wagan was required to return to his point of departure.
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and other senior officials have been informed of the situation, with Mr. Wagan likely to be called to Islamabad to provide an account of the incident.
GeoTV, another Pakistani news outlet, confirmed through foreign office sources that Mr. Wagan was on a private trip to Los Angeles and stated that a thorough investigation into the incident is underway.
The episode represents a significant embarrassment for Islamabad amid circulating reports that then-U.S. President Donald Trump was considering implementing a travel ban on Pakistan, potentially restricting Pakistani nationals' entry into the United States.

These stricter measures have disrupted what was once a seamless process for Indian tourists, whose visa approval rate historically stood at an impressive 99%.

Surge in Dubai Visa Rejections Stuns Indian Travelers Amid Stricter Regulations

These stricter measures have disrupted what was once a seamless process for Indian tourists, whose visa approval rate historically stood at an impressive 99%.

Indian tourists, long accustomed to smooth visa approvals for Dubai, are now facing a wave of unexpected rejections. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced stricter visa application requirements, causing frustration and financial losses for many travelers. Reports from the Times of India (TOI) reveal that rejection rates, previously under 2%, have now risen to 5&ndash;6% daily.
New Visa Requirements: The change stems from recent mandates by Dubai's immigration department. Applicants must now submit hotel booking confirmations with QR codes and return flight tickets directly to the immigration portal. Those staying with family or friends must provide additional proof of accommodation.
These stricter measures have disrupted what was once a seamless process for Indian tourists, whose visa approval rate historically stood at an impressive 99%.
Industry Concerns: Travel agencies are witnessing a notable shift in approval trends. Nikhil Kumar, director of Passio Travels Pvt Ltd, expressed his frustration to TOI:
"Even when confirmed flight tickets and meticulous hotel stay details are attached, the visa applications are being rejected." Kumar&rsquo;s agency reports 5&ndash;6 rejections per day out of 100 submissions, a significant jump compared to earlier times.
Similarly, Vijay Thakkar of Hasmukh Travels highlighted cases where applications, even with complete documentation, were inexplicably denied. The financial burden on travelers, including visa fees and ticket cancellation charges, often totals over Rs 30,000 per person.
Emotional and Financial Strain: Travelers are reeling from the uncertainty. Rishikesh Pujari, director of Vihar Travels, shared an instance where a family of four had their visas rejected despite adhering to all requirements. The rejection, he noted, not only dampens spirits but also results in significant monetary losses.
Many travelers have expressed dismay at losing pre-booked flight and hotel expenses. This shift has cast a shadow over what was traditionally an exciting and straightforward travel experience.
Added Financial Scrutiny: The revised rules also demand proof of financial means. Applicants must show minimum funds of AED 5,000 (approximately Rs 1.14 lakh) for a two-month visa and AED 3,000 for shorter stays. Previously, such checks were conducted selectively at the airport. Now, they are mandatory, adding another hurdle for prospective visitors.
Broader Implications: The tightened visa regulations reflect a broader move by UAE authorities to enhance oversight and ensure financial transparency. However, the sudden changes have caught Indian travelers and travel agencies off guard, leading to calls for more predictable and traveler-friendly processes.
For now, the allure of Dubai&mdash;with its iconic skyscrapers, world-class shopping, and luxurious lifestyle&mdash;remains as strong as ever. Yet, the dream of experiencing this Gulf city has become notably harder to achieve.
Travelers and industry stakeholders are hopeful for a recalibration of the new rules, seeking a return to the ease and reliability of the past.

India has suspended visa services for Canadians from September 21

India suspends visa service for Canadians | Hardeep Singh Nijjar killing

India suspends visa service for Canadians
Visa suspended amid tensions between India and Canada
Row over killing of Khalistan terrorist in Canada

India has suspended visa services for Canadians from September 21

India has suspended visa services for Canada amid a standoff between the two countries over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.&nbsp;
BLS International, the vendor that runs the visa application centres in Canada posted on their website that services have been suspended from September 21 due to operational reasons till further notice.&nbsp;

Pakistan issues visas to Hindu pilgrims to visit centuries-old temple

A statement issued by the Pakistan High Commission said the group of Indian Hindu pilgrims is visiting Shadani Darbar Hayat Pitafi from November 22 to December 3.

A statement issued by the Pakistan High Commission said the group of Indian Hindu pilgrims is visiting Shadani Darbar Hayat Pitafi from November 22 to December 3.

Pakistan on Monday said it has issued 100 visas to Indian pilgrims keen to participate in the 314th birth anniversary celebrations of Shiv Avtari Satguru Sant Shadaram Sahib in Sindh province.
A statement issued by the Pakistan High Commission said the group of Indian Hindu pilgrims is visiting Shadani Darbar Hayat Pitafi from November 22 to December 3.
Shadani Darbar is an over three hundred years old temple and is a sacred place for Hindu devotees from across the globe. It was founded in 1786 by Sant Shadaram Sahib, who was born in Lahore in 1708.
Under the Pakistan-India Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974, thousands of Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from India visit Pakistan to attend various religious festivals/occasions every year.
Visas issued by the Pakistan High Commission are in addition to the visas granted to Hindu and Sikh pilgrims participating in these events from other countries, the statement claimed.
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"We hope that Chinese authorities facilitate the continued presence of Indian journalists working and reporting from China. The two sides continue to remain in touch regarding this issue," he said.

Journalists' visa spat: India hopes China facilitates Indian scribes, says MEA 

"We hope that Chinese authorities facilitate the continued presence of Indian journalists working and reporting from China. The two sides continue to remain in touch regarding this issue," he said.

India on Friday expressed hope that Chinese authorities would facilitate continued presence of Indian journalists in China, noting that both sides remained in touch on the matter.
Nearly two months ago, China informed two Indian journalists in Beijing that their visas had been "frozen".
China had said it was taking "counter-measures" in response to what it alleged was India's "unfair" treatment of Chinese journalists.
"All foreign journalists, including Chinese journalists have been pursuing journalistic activities in India without any limitations or difficulties in reporting or doing media coverage," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.
He was replying to questions on the issue during his weekly media briefing.
"We hope that Chinese authorities facilitate the continued presence of Indian journalists working and reporting from China. The two sides continue to remain in touch regarding this issue," he said.
Bagchi said the Indian journalists in China have been operating with certain difficulties.
At present, two Indian journalists are reporting from China.

The visa waiver programme for in-person interviews has been extended by the US government through December 31, 2023

US to soon begin study visa application process for Indian students 

The visa waiver programme for in-person interviews has been extended by the US government through December 31, 2023

For the upcoming Fall Session, the US is preparing to process student visa applications. It further stated that starting in mid-May, the first round of visa appointments would be made available.
'Attention students! In mid-May, the U.S. Mission to India will open the first batch of appointments for the upcoming student visa season. Additional appointments will be released later in the season. Prepare for your appointments and stay tuned for more student visa-related announcements!' the US Consulate General in Hyderabad said in a tweet.
The US hopes to expand visa interview appointments for Indian students by 30% this summer, according to Mike Hankey, the US Consul General in Mumbai.
According to him, about 1.25 lakh student visa applications from India were processed by US consulates last year.
The visa waiver programme for in-person interviews has been extended by the US government through December 31, 2023

The US has so far issued nearly 1,00,000 work authorisations to spouses of H-1B workers, a significantly large number of whom are Indians.

Spouses of H1-B visa holders can work in US, judge rules

In a big relief for foreign workers in the US tech sector, a judge has ruled that spouses of H-1B visa holders can work in the United States.

The US has so far issued nearly 1,00,000 work authorisations to spouses of H-1B workers, a significantly large number of whom are Indians.

In a big relief for foreign workers in the US tech sector, a judge has ruled that spouses of H-1B visa holders can work in the United States.
In the process, US District Judge Tanya Chutkan dismissed a lawsuit filed by Save Jobs USA which had approached the court to dismiss the Obama-era regulation that gave employment authorization cards to spouses of certain categories of H-1B visa holders.
Tech companies such as Amazon, Apple, Google, and Microsoft had opposed the lawsuit. The US has so far issued nearly 1,00,000 work authorisations to spouses of H-1B workers, a significantly large number of whom are Indians.
In her order, Judge Chutkan said the primary contention of Save Jobs USA is that Congress has never granted the Department of Homeland Security authority to allow foreign nationals, like H-4 visa-holders, to work during their stay in the United States.
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But that contention runs headlong into the text of the Immigration and Nationality Act, decades of executive-branch practice and both explicit and implicit congressional ratification of that practice, she wrote.
The judge wrote that Congress has expressly and knowingly empowered the US Government to authorize employment as a permissible condition of an H-4 spouse's stay in the United States.
The fact that the federal government has had longstanding and open responsibility for authorizing employment for similar visa classes further manifests Congress' approval of it exercising that authority, she said.
The Department of Homeland Security and its predecessors have authorized employment not just for students, but also for their spouses and dependents, Judge Chutkan wrote in the ruling.
Also, the Department of Homeland Security has long extended work authorization to spouses of foreign government officials and spouses of employees or officers of international organizations, the judge wrote as she dismissed the lawsuit filed by Save Jobs USA.
Ajay Bhutoria, a prominent community leader and advocate for immigrant rights, has applauded the decision by the court to allow H1B spouses to work and support their families.
The H1B visa programme is designed to allow skilled foreign workers to come to the United States and work for American companies. However, until recently, H1B spouses were not allowed to work, which often placed a significant financial burden on families, he said.

The students have been issued deportation notices by the Canadian Border Security Agency.

Canada: 700 Indian students to be deported over 'fake' admission letters

Canada: 700 Indian students to be deported over 'fake' admission letters, say reports


The students have been issued deportation notices by the Canadian Border Security Agency.

More than 700 Indian students are facing deportation from Canada, as per reports.
The students have been issued deportation notices by the Canadian Border Security Agency.
The notices were issued after authorities claimed that admission offer letters to educational institutes submitted by the students were found to be fake.
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&nbsp;

The recommendation comes at a time when highly skilled foreign-born workers face long waits for their immigrant visas to be processed

US panel mulls issuing work permits to certain green card applicants

A US presidential advisory commission has discussed the possibility of issuing work permits and travel documents to those who have been waiting for a green card for over 5 years

The recommendation comes at a time when highly skilled foreign-born workers face long waits for their immigrant visas to be processed

A US presidential advisory commission has discussed the possibility of issuing work permits and travel documents to those who have been waiting for a green card for over 5 years under certain visa categories.&nbsp;
The recommendation comes at a time when highly skilled foreign-born workers face long waits for their immigrant visas to be processed during which they may lose out on job opportunities or be forced to leave the country because their prior non-immigrant visas have expired.
The committee noted that such a move would benefit the US by ensuring that the country can continue to attract and retain global talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and by improving the lives of many foreign-born scientists, engineers, and physicians.

The statement comes amid the US government's efforts to speed up visa processing in India to reduce waiting times.

USA sets massive visa target for Indians in 2023

The statement comes amid the US government's efforts to speed up visa processing in India to reduce waiting times.

The United States of America plans to issue visas to 10 lakh Indians in 2023, with 2 lakh applications already processed.
The US Embassy and Consulates are on track to hit the goal of processing more than 10 lakh non-immigrant visa applications in 2023, an official was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.
The statement comes amid the US government's efforts to speed up visa processing in India to reduce waiting times.
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There is currently a 694-day wait time in Mumbai, and 614-day delay in Delhi for appointments for non-immigrant visa applicants, as per reports.

USA assigns officials from across the world to Mumbai consulate: latest move to cut visa wait time in India

There is currently a 694-day wait time in Mumbai, and 614-day delay in Delhi for appointments for non-immigrant visa applicants, as per reports.

American authorities on 28 February announced a fresh move to reduce waiting time for Indians seeking a US visa.
Washington has decided to deploy temporary visa officers at the Mumbai consulate to help reduce the delay in processing of applications.
American consular officers from around the world have been pulled out of their regular duties and assigned to visa work in Mumbai.
There is currently a 694-day wait time in Mumbai, and 614-day delay in Delhi for appointments for non-immigrant visa applicants, as per reports.

The German Chancellor did not specify the number of Indian specialists Berlin hoped to attract.

Germany planning to ease visa rules for Indian techies, other specialists, says Olaf Scholz in India trip

The German Chancellor did not specify the number of Indian specialists Berlin hoped to attract.

Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz on 26 February 2023 invited Indian techies and other skilled workers to work in Germany.
Scholz reportedly said that his coalition government was planning to reduce immigration hurdles, and introduce a point-based system which would make it easier for people to get visas even if they don't have a firm job in hand.
However, the German leader did not specify the number of Indian specialists Berlin hoped to attract.
Scholz visited software company SAP Labs in Bengaluru, Karnataka on Day 2 of his India trip.
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British Home Secretary Suella Braverman plans cut to post-study student visa stay in UK: Report

A government source who backs Braverman&rsquo;s plan said the Graduate Visa was being increasingly used by students on short courses at "less respectable universities".

British Home Secretary Suella Braverman is said to be on a collision course with the country's education department over plans to cut the period of stay allowed for overseas students under a post-study visa route, according to a UK media report on Wednesday.
The new Graduate Visa route, which allows foreign graduates &ndash; including Indians &ndash; the chance to stay on to job hunt and gain work experience for up to two years without the requirement of a specific job offer, is expected to be cut under Braverman&rsquo;s proposed review.
According to 'The Times', the Indian-origin home secretary has drawn up a plan to "reform" the Graduate Visa route requiring students to obtain a work visa by getting a skilled job or leave the UK after six months. The newspaper refers to leaked advice to say that the UK Department for Education (DfE) is attempting to block the changes as they fear it would harm the UK&rsquo;s attractiveness to international students.
A government source who backs Braverman&rsquo;s plan said the Graduate Visa was being increasingly used by students on short courses at "less respectable universities".
"It's being used as a backdoor immigration route," the newspaper quoted the source as saying.
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Congresswoman Grace Meng said that long wait times were "unacceptable", and she had pushed for the delays to be addressed.

US visa for Indias: top American lawmaker hails Biden govt's measures to speed-up application processing

Congresswoman Grace Meng said that long wait times were "unacceptable", and she had pushed for the delays to be addressed.

A senior American lawmaker has appreciated measures announced by the US government to reduce waiting time for visa applicants in India.
Congresswoman Grace Meng said that long wait times were "unacceptable", and she had pushed for the delays to be addressed. Meng, who is a member of the Congressional Caucus on India, said that the government's moves will help "businesses and families who are waiting for the arrival of workers and loved ones from India."
The Joe Biden administration has announced multiple measures, including extra consular staff and special interview days, to address the backlog in visa applications due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"The US and India continue to share a special bond, and this initiative to reduce backlogs will further strengthen the strong relationship that exists between our two great countries," Meng said. India broke the record for most student visas last year and it may do so again this year, Meng said, adding that India is now number two in the world in terms of international students coming to the United States.
The wait time for an interview for work visas &ndash; such as H-1B and L1 visas -- has gone down from 18 months to about 60 days. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Indians make up many of the recipients of H-1B and other work visas granted to skilled foreign workers, many in the tech industry.
(With PTI inputs)

The first in a series of special Saturday interview days was organised on 21 January 2023.

USA's latest step to help Indians: special interview days for faster visa processing

The first in a series of special Saturday interview days was organised on 21 January 2023.

The American government has reportedly launched a slew of measures to reduce processing time for visas for Indians.
USA is organising special interviews for first-time applicants, and also increasing staff strength at its consulates in India. The first in a series of special Saturday interview days was organised on 21 January 2023.
The US Embassy in Delhi, as well as consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad functioned on Saturday for in-person visa interviews.
Washington is taking multiple steps to clear the backlog in visa processing caused by Covid, officials said.
During Union minister Piyush Goyal's recent trip to the US, the Indian delegation had raised the problem of delay in issuance of business visas to Indians.
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Goyal made the comments after talks with US Trade Representative Katherine Tai at an India-US Trade Policy Forum meeting.

India asks USA to fix delay in business visa issuance during Piyush Goyal's Washington trip

Goyal made the comments after talks with US Trade Representative Katherine Tai at an India-US Trade Policy Forum meeting.

The Indian government on 11 January 2023 said that it had raised the issue of inordinate delays in issuance of business visas with the American administration.
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that the request for speeding up the process "found very good resonance" from US officials.
Goyal made the comments after talks with US Trade Representative Katherine Tai at an India-US Trade Policy Forum meeting.
"We found very good resonance to our request that issuance of business visas which is taking a long time back home in India is an area which needs to be expedited so that business persons interested on both sides -- the US businesses and Indian businesses -- need to have faster processing of business reasons, so that trade and investment and business does not suffer," Goyal told reporters.
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"We are delighted that the movement of professional and skilled workers, students, investors, business travellers, all are expanding between the two countries. That has helped increase our bilateral relations," he noted.
(With PTI inputs)

Chinese embassy added that the ban will continue until South Korea lifts its “discriminatory measures on entrance by China” to the country.

China suspends visas for South Koreans, Japanese in retaliation to Covid curbs

China suspended issuing visas on Tuesday for South Koreans to come to the country for tourism or business in apparent retaliation for COVID-19 testing requirements imposed by South Korea on Chinese travellers, according to the Chinese Embassy in Seoul.

Chinese embassy added that the ban will continue until South Korea lifts its &ldquo;discriminatory measures on entrance by China&rdquo; to the country.

China suspended issuing visas on Tuesday for South Koreans to come to the country for tourism or business in apparent retaliation for COVID-19 testing requirements imposed by South Korea on Chinese travellers, according to a notice posted by the Chinese Embassy in Seoul.
Japan's Kyodo News service said the ban would also affect Japanese travellers. A Japanese Foreign Ministry official said the government was aware of the report and was holding unofficial discussions with Chinese authorities about measures being considered by Beijing.
It would be &ldquo;regrettable&rdquo; if restrictions are imposed, the official said, speaking on customary condition of anonymity.
The brief notice, published on the embassy WeChat account, said the ban will continue until South Korea lifts its &ldquo;discriminatory measures on entrance by China&rdquo; to the country.
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No other details were given, although China has threatened to retaliate against countries that require travellers from China to show a negative test result for COVID-19 taken within the previous 48 hours.
The announcement appeared to apply only to new applicants, and said nothing about South Koreans currently holding visas.
Withholding visas from Korean or Japanese business-people could delay the revival of fully fledged commercial activity and potential new investments following China's abrupt lifting of anti-virus controls.
Business groups warned earlier that global companies were shifting investment plans away from China because it was too hard for foreign executives to visit. A handful of foreign auto and other executives have visited China over the past three years, but companies have relied on Chinese employees or managers already in the country to run their operations.
A South Korean restaurant owner in Beijing said the announcement forced friends to postpone plans to visit China. He spoke on condition of anonymity out of concern his business might be affected. He added that he is preparing to renew his own Chinese work visa and doesn't know whether that will be affected.
China has yet to say when it might resume issuing tourist visas on a large scale.
In a phone call with his South Korean counterpart, Park Jin, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang &ldquo;expressed concern" about the measures taken by South Korea and said he &ldquo;hopes that the South Korean side will uphold an objective and scientific attitude".
China's move appeared to be grounded in its demands that its citizens be treated the same as those of other country. Around a dozen countries have followed the US in requiring negative tests for travellers coming from China, which has lifted most of its &ldquo;zero-COVID&rdquo; restrictions for the first time in three years but also has been experiencing a major outbreak since last month.
At a daily briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin defended China's anti-pandemic measures, adding that &ldquo;Regrettably, a handful of countries, in disregard of science and facts and the reality at home, have insisted on taking discriminatory entry restriction measures targeting China. China firmly rejected this and took reciprocal measures".
Wang did not respond directly to questions about the suspension of visa issuance to South Koreans and Japanese, saying only that he had &ldquo;made it very clear".
The World Health Organisation and several nations have accused China of withholding data on its outbreak. The testing requirements are aimed at identifying potential virus variants carried by travellers.
China's ambassador to Australia said the response of those nations to China's COVID-19 outbreak hadn't been proportionate or constructive.
Xiao Qian told reporters in Canberra that China had shifted its strategy late last year from preventing infections to preventing severe cases. He said countries should use a science-based response.
&ldquo;Entry restrictions, if they're targeted at China, they're unnecessary,&rdquo; the ambassador told reporters.
&ldquo;If you look at some other countries in the world and their policies toward China, I mean, their responsible measures toward China (are) not constructive. It's not based on science. It's not proportionate,&rdquo; he said.
The online notice at the embassy in Seoul did not say why China singled out South Korea for retaliation, although president and Communist Party leader Xi Jinping's deeply nationalistic government has long resented Seoul's alliance with the US.
The once-cordial ties between South Korea and its biggest trading partner soured after China targeted businesses, sports teams and even K-pop groups to protest deployment of an advanced US anti-missile system in South Korea.
China fought on the side of North Korea in the 1950-1953 war and has remained a supporter of Pyongyang amid its missile launches and nuclear tests, and has opposed further sanctions against Kim Jong Un's hardline communist regime.
China abruptly reversed its strict pandemic containment requirements last month in response to what it says was the changing nature of the outbreak. That came after three years of lockdowns, quarantines and mass testing that prompted protests on the street in Beijing and other major cities not seen in three decades.
The most optimistic forecasts say China's business and consumer activity might revive as early as the first quarter of this year. But before that happens, entrepreneurs and families face a painful squeeze from a surge in virus cases that has left employers without enough healthy workers and kept wary customers away from shopping malls, restaurants, hair salons and gyms.
The abrupt decision by Xi's government to end controls that shut down factories and kept millions of people at home will move up the timeline for economic recovery, but might disrupt activity this year as businesses scramble to adapt, forecasters say.
China is now facing a surge in cases and hospitalisations in major cities and is bracing for a further spread into less developed areas with the start of the Lunar New Year travel rush, set to get underway in coming days.
While international flights are still reduced, authorities say they expect domestic rail and air journeys will double over the same period last year, bringing overall numbers close to those of the 2019 holiday period, before the pandemic hit.

US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said that nearly 1.25 lakh student visas were issued in 2022.

For Indians, USA broke record for most student visas issued in fiscal year in 2022

US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said that nearly 1.25 lakh student visas were issued in 2022.

The American government has said that in 2022, its embassy and consulates in India broke their all-time record for the most number of student visas issued in a fiscal year.
US State Department spokesperson Ned Price on 4 January 2023 said that nearly 1.25 lakh student visas were issued in 2022. He added that the Joe Biden government is making all efforts to reduce the waiting time for a visa interview in India.
Addressing the growing concern over the backlog of visa applications from countries like India, State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters at his daily news conference on Wednesday that he certainly understands the frustrations of those who have to wait for a long time.
As of November 2022, the median worldwide wait time for a tourist visa (B1/B2) interview appointment was about two months, and applicants with urgent travel needs who meet certain criteria can apply for an emergency appointment, usually available within days.
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"Visa processing is recovering faster than projected and over the coming year, we expect to reach pre-pandemic processing levels," Price said.
(With PTI inputs)

There have been growing concerns in India over the long waiting period for first time visa applicants, especially for those applying under B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) categories.

Tremendous efforts to cut wait time for issuance of visa in India: US

The US is undertaking "tremendous efforts" to solve the problem of long wait time in issuance of visas in India, US Charge d'Affaires Ambassador Elizabeth Jones said on Friday

There have been growing concerns in India over the long waiting period for first time visa applicants, especially for those applying under B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) categories.

The US is undertaking "tremendous efforts" to solve the problem of long wait time in issuance of visas in India, US Charge d'Affaires Ambassador Elizabeth Jones said on Friday, acknowledging that the situation in the country is particularly "bad" because of the high demand.
The newly-appointed diplomat also said that the issue is on the "top of the mind" of Washington and efforts being initiated to cut the wait time for grant of visas included recruitment and training of visa counsellors.
There have been growing concerns in India over the long waiting period for first time visa applicants, especially for those applying under B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) categories.
At a media interaction, Jones said the problem of long wait time for visas was triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, adding the long backlogs were reported from various parts of the globe.
"They are particularly bad in India because the demand for visas is so high. That's one of the big elements; it's one of the big differences," she said.
Jones also noted that tremendous recruiting and training efforts are underway right now in Washington to recruit and train vice counsellors for many many places.
"Our mission in India is going to get quite a number of them... By the summer, we will be fully staffed here in Delhi and in our consulates to issue visas and do these interviews," she said.
The waiting period of first time B1/B2 visa applicants in India is close to three years.
"We know this has been very difficult. We have asked for your patience... I can guarantee you that this is a very serious issue that is on the top of the mind in Washington and there is a tremendous effort to solve the problem here in India," Jones added.
She also noted that the US issued 82,000 visas to Indian students this year.
"We are extremely pleased to have really done a juggernaut effort to issue 82,000 student visas," she said.
Jones also said that efforts are underway to "reduce and eliminate" the time for issuance of H1B visas.
Indians make up a large proportion of the recipients of H-1B and other work visas granted to skilled foreign workers, many in the tech industry.
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.&nbsp;

Indians no longer required to submit police clearance certificate for Saudi visa

Saudi Arabia exempts Indians from submitting police clearance for its visas

According to a statement issued by the Saudi Embassy, the decision has been taken as part of efforts of the two countries to further strengthen relations.

Indian nationals will no longer be required to submit a police clearance certificate for obtaining a visa for travelling to Saudi Arabia, the embassy of that country announced on Thursday.
According to a statement issued by the Saudi Embassy, the decision has been taken as part of efforts of the two countries to further strengthen relations.
"In view of the strong relations and strategic partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and India, the Kingdom has decided to exempt the Indian nationals from submitting a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)," the statement said.
The PCC will no longer be a requirement for Indian citizens to obtain a visa for travelling to Saudi Arabia, it said.
The Saudi Embassy said it appreciates the contribution of over two million Indian citizens living peacefully in the Kingdom.&nbsp;
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