VIJAYAWADA: US visa holders who want to renew their visas need not attend an interview at the consular offices henceforth. Under a new scheme introduced by the US Diplomatic Mission to India, a visa holder just needs to submit an application and the consulate will clear his visa. The new scheme introduced on a pilot basis, however, will be applicable to only certain qualified individuals. Named ‘Interview Waiver’, the scheme is a part of the process to streamline visa process.Disclosing the details of the scheme here on Wednesday. Andrew Chapman, vice-consul, Consulate General of the USA, said people whose visas were going to expire shortly were eligible to get the benefit. “This is a pilot programme started two weeks ago and will continue for six months. If it proves successful, we will think of extending it further.”A person who got his visa before 2008 should submit his fingerprints along with the application for renewal of visa. He or she need not attend any interview in person. In the case of persons who got their visas after going through an interview, there was no need to submit fingerprints too, only an application was enough, Chapman said.The details of eligibility criteria under the scheme are available on the website http://www.vfs-usa.co.in.US President Obama had unveiled the programme in January as a travel and tourism initiative. It would benefit thousands of visa applicants in India, Chapman said.
Comments
0 comment