Rajya Sabha
India has a policy that facilitates the visit of tourists and international students who wish to study in India. This was informed by the Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs, Shri Anand Sharma in the Rajya Sabha today.
The Minister further informed that on 17 January, 2006 the US Department of State and Department of Homeland Security announced measures to speedup the processing of US visas. It is the Government’s understanding that to decrease the wait time for visa appointments for travelers. American Embassies and Consulates have now established procedures to expedite the visa processing of business visas and are working closely with local American Chambers of Commerce in many countries to expedite the visa process for bona fide business travelers. US authorities also announced that in the coming mnths, US Homeland and State Department will work to expand the length of time that foreign students can arrive and live in US. Student visas would be issued up to 120 days before classes begin, as compared to 90 days under current regulations and students would be allowed into US 45 days in advance of their studies, as compared to 30 days at present.
India already has a policy that facilitates the visit of tourists and international students who wish to study in India, the Minister further added.
The Minister was replying to a question by Shri B.J. Panda.
AK/JA
(Release ID :16086)