Question : OUT SOURCING OF ISSUE OF VISA

(a) whether the Government proposes to ease visa regulations for tourists from abroad by out sourcing the visa issuing process to private agencies;

(b) if so, whether US, UK and Australia have Outsourced their visa centres for Indian tourists to private companies in Indian cities;

(c) if so, whether the Government proposes to appoint private agencies in these cities to dispense with the processing of visas by outsourcing; and

(d) if so, the details in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI SRIPRAKASH JAISWAL)

(a): Yes Sir, but as a Pilot Project in London only to begin with .

(b): As per information gathered from local Embassies/ High Commissions of US, UK and Australia in Delhi, certain visa related services viz. dissemination of information/appointments/collection of application form have been outsourced by them.

(c ) & (d): No such proposal is under consideration at present.