Top US lawmakers have urged the Biden administration to address the visa wait time issue for Indian applicants as a priority, highlighting the significant role of the people-to-people relationship in bilateral ties. During separate Congressional hearings, lawmakers questioned top state department officials about the steps taken to resolve the issue, especially with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a state visit later this month.
Senator Bob Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Congressman Michael Waltz, Co-Chair of the House India Caucus, further questioned why people in India were facing visa wait time of up to 600 days.
“The United States enjoys strong people-to-people ties with India. India is now part of the QUAD. We are constantly engaging it in geostrategic interests that we have. New Jersey is home to a great number of Indian Americans and their families. I appreciate and applaud the department’s heightened focus towards reducing wait times for first-time B1-B2 applicants in India,” Menendez said, as reported by Hindustan Times.
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“But despite that progress this past year, India continues to face the longest wait times globally with average wait times for an appointment for the first-time B1-B2 applicant ranging between 450 and 600 days. Could you please speak to me as to why that is the case? Why does it take up to 600 days for an adjudication?” Menendez asked during a hearing at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
During a hearing by the House Foreign Relations Committee, Congressman Waltz emphasized the significance of the India-US relationship and the consistent complaints from Indian Americans regarding visa wait times.
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“With our trade over USD 150 Billion, with the consequential relationship, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi coming for a state dinner and visit just this month, what are we doing to fix this. Have you looked at any India specific policy fast tracks or issues?” Waltz asked during a hearing by the House Foreign Relations Committee, adding that the delay in visa would impact the business relationship.
