Good news for those applying for a US visa. The US Department of State has implemented the recommendations of the Presidential Commission. He suggested eliminating the visa backlog. The visa interview should take place as soon as possible. India is one of the countries that has seen a surge in US visa applications after coronavirus-related travel restrictions were lifted
Ajay Jain Bhutoria, a Silicon Valley resident of Indian origin, raised the issue with the President’s Commission. The commission noted that the processing of visa applications is causing great difficulties for students and visitors who plan to study in the US and travel to the country.
More than one lakh applications were received in January alone
The commission has recommended that the State Department allow virtual interviews wherever it feels the need. To do this, enlist the help of staff at US embassies and consulates around the world to conduct embassy interviews with long delays.
The commission’s recommendations also include opening US diplomatic missions outside of India for visa appointments, having more counters and deploying additional resources to process visa applications. The US Embassy in India processed more than one lakh of applications in January this year. This is the highest number for a month and the highest for any month since July 2019.
The committee met in December
The Presidential Commission had held a meeting on this issue in December. In this, the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders recommended several steps to reduce the growing backlog in visa appointment times in India and other countries such as Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.
- Additional staff should be sent to embassies where there are more delays.
- The Department of State must hire new full-time officers/consultants or temporary employees or contractors.
- Deploy retired consular officers to eliminate the backlog at embassies in Asia.
- The Department of State may use staff from other embassies around the world to serve embassies in Asian
- countries with multiple delays.
Why the delay
The President’s Commission Advisory Committee found that in 2012, President Barack Obama issued a memorandum to reduce wait times from several months to a few days. Through this the system was improved. However, the Trump administration rescinded President Obama’s memorandum. Due to this there was a delay in obtaining the visa.
Now, the commission has suggested to President Joe Biden that he reduce the visa appointment wait time to a maximum of 2-4 weeks for countries with significant backlogs, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries with a similar situation.
long wait for visa
In India, especially those who apply for the B-1 (Business) and B-2 (Tourist) categories face problems. First time visa applicants have to wait longer. For the first time in India, the waiting period for B-1/B-2 visa applicants was close to three years in October last year.
In January, the Department of State not only implemented remote processing of interview waiver cases for applicants with previous US visas, but also launched several initiatives, including scheduling special interviews for first-time applicants and increasing the number of staff consular.
A US visa allows you to visit the US, but does not guarantee your entry into the US or a specific length of stay there. Immigration officials make this decision at the point of entry.
When you arrive, the immigration officer checks your passport, visa, I-94, and arrival and departure card. And check how long it takes to get it if you are admitted to the US. The immigration officer will take your photo and fingerprints, just like during the visa interview process. If he is authorized, he will direct you to the baggage control and customs area to collect your luggage.
In some cases, the immigration officer may ask you to move to another control area for further questioning. During the second evaluation, a second immigration officer will review his case and ask questions about his trip and background.
Baggage Transfer for US Customs Clearance When you are ready to depart the US, please allow additional time for airline check-in and security screening. For the most up-to-date information on prohibited items, personal exam preparation, and the exam process, visit the following website:
exit from america
control and travel restrictions in the United States
If you returned home with an I-94 (white) or I-94W (green) departure registration form in your passport, your departure was not successfully recorded. Visit the US Customs and Border Protection site for the latest process on how to complete an I-94 to correct your travel record.
Airline Origins: United and Boeing are a family
Did you know that United Airlines was spun off from Boeing? Yes, aircraft manufacturer!
Original
The company’s founders, William Boeing and George Conrad Westervelt, invented a seaplane called the Boeing Model 1.
After successfully providing 50 aircraft to the US Navy, they eventually moved to commercial aircraft.
Over time the business expanded. The airmail service was one of them. Boeing eventually launched a passenger service now called United Airlines.
did you know
United Airlines and Boeing’s partnership goes back more than 90 years!
In 1933, American passengers took the fastest flight across the country.
A United Airlines flight from Newark to San Francisco transferred passengers for the first time without changing flights or stopping overnight. No wonder United Airlines’ nonstop flights are nonstop!
First Flight Attendant: The first flight attendant was a United Airlines employee!
Ellen became the first woman to serve the passengers in the church. Although this is common practice today, it was not in the 1930’s!
At his suggestion, United Airlines began hiring flight attendants.
Did you know that in the 1930s, flight attendants were one of the few jobs available to women?
That is why even today you will see that the number of women is greater than that of men.
cool trivia
- Some early United Airlines flight attendants wore green outfits that included a hat and cap.
- United Airlines support services inspired other airlines.
- United Airlines formed the first union for flight attendants in 1940.
- Put an end to sexist and unfair labor practices, such as restrictions on marriage, etc.
- Additionally, the longest-serving flight attendant, Ron Acana, served for United Airlines for 63 years.
did you know
- The first meal served on a commercial flight was a choice of fried chicken or scrambled eggs.
- United Airlines miles have come a long way since then! See United Airlines First Class Dining.
- United Airlines offers complimentary meals on many routes. Some of them include flights between the US and
- Colombia / Argentina / Africa / China / Australia / Tahiti / Mexico.
- If you book United Airlines business class seats or fly first class, you’ll find great Hawaiian food.