New Delhi, Nov 10 (Bureau) The US has made special arrangements to expedite visa applications for India in the wake of situation returning to normalcy after the Covid pandaemic, a senior official in the US Embassy here said on Thursday. Expressing hope, the official said that by the summer of next year, India will overtake China to become the second largest US visa recipient. “We hope that by summer next year, likely by June or July, India will overtake China to become the second country after Mexico in obtaining US visas,” he said. The official also informed that there has been an uptick in the amount of visa applications.
Briefing about the visa policy, he said, “There are various types of visas. Each category has its own time.” “India is No 1 priority for Washington,” the official said.In response to a question, he said that India will be issued at least 10 per cent more visas next year as compared to the pre-Covid times.On being asked about the reasons for the delay in issuing visas, the official said the situation is not only in India but across the world. He also held Covid responsible for the situation and expressed hope it will improve very soon.