US CONSULATE IN CHENNAI
Record student visas to Indians last year, number likely to cross this year: US Embassy
American universities attract a large number of Indian students, and last year, the US consular team in India issued over 1,40,000 student visas -- higher than for any other country setting a record for the third year in a row.
US and India strengthen military ties, eye deeper collaboration
Top American and Indian defense officials have highlighted the growing importance of the US-India military partnership, especially in the Indo-Pacific region. At the 'Partners in Progress' symposium in Bengaluru, Rear Admiral Nirbhay Bapna of the Indian Navy praised the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations. He emphasized their joint commitment to ensuring peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific through enhanced information sharing and maritime awareness. US Defense Attaché to India Rear Admiral Michael Baker also stressed the significant role of the US-India defense partnership in global peace and security.
US Consulate in Hyderabad extends student visa season by two weeks after 10,000 F-1 visa slots disappear in 5 minutes
The US Consulate in Hyderabad extends student visa season by two weeks in response to appointment booking issues raised by students through an online petition. Limited US visa slots and long wait times in Hyderabad compared to other cities pose challenges for students.
US consolidates visitor visa interview waiver appointments in New Delhi
US Embassy in India updates visa procedures, focusing on B-1/B-2 interview waivers in New Delhi. Nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visas can be processed at multiple centers across India. The US Consular Team processed a record 1.4 million US visas in 2023.
US Consulate in Mumbai eases backlog by screening 1500 applications in 'Super Saturday' visa drive
The US Consulate in Mumbai organized a 'Super Saturday' drive to address the surging demand for visas, significantly reducing the waiting period. Applicants were encouraged to apply directly and monitor the consulate's website for visa appointment openings.
Karnataka IT Minister promises support for US Consulate office in Bengaluru
Large number of students and technology workers from Bengaluru visit the US on a regular basis, the minister said while interacting with delegates of the US Trade Mission. He urged the US Foreign office to speed up setting up a consulate in Bengaluru to facilitate quick processing of their visa and other applications.
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Tourist visa appointment wait times down by 75%, US processes record number of visas to Indians
In 2023, the US processed a record-breaking 1.4 million visas for Indians, leading to a 75% reduction in wait times. Indians now make up 1/10th of all US visa applicants globally, with demand increasing by 60%. The US Embassy and Consulates in India highlighted the surge in visa applications across all categories, with visitor visas and student visas reaching historic highs.
Cyclone Michaung: US Consulate in Chennai shut, all appointments cancelled for second day
Cyclone Michaung has already disrupted normal life in Tamil Nadu, particularly impacting Chennai. The state capital witnessed heavy rainfall, resulting in waterlogging of subways and arterial roads. Operations at Chennai airport were temporarily suspended, with 70 flights canceled due to continuous rains.
Cyclone Michaung: US Consulate in Chennai cancels all visa appointments; VFS Global shares advisory
"Cyclone Michaung is expected to bring very heavy rainfall and strong winds to the northern coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, beginning Sunday afternoon, December 3, and continuing through December 4. Consequently, the U.S. Consulate General in Chennai will be closed on Monday, December 4," the US Consulate said in a statement.
US opens up 2,50,000 visa appointments in India; wait time in Delhi drops to a month for the first time since pandemic
Despite introducing steps through the year to get control over skyrocketting visa wait times, the United States has still not been able to bring it back to normal, two years after the pandemic disrupted processing. Currently, applicants from Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad will need to wait well over 500 days to have their B1/B2 visas processed.
Wait time for getting interview appointment for B1 and B2 US visas 37 days in Delhi
According to the data updated November 1 on the website, the current waiting period for getting an interview appointment for an American visa in the B1 and the B2 categories stands at 37 days in Delhi, 322 days in Mumbai, 126 days in Kolkata, 341 days in Chennai and 511 days in Hyderabad.
Thailand renews VFS contract for visa processing in India
The company will operate visa application and drop-off centers in cities across India, including Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai. VFS Global has been working with the Thai government for nearly two decades and has processed over 2.2 million Thai visa applications since 2005.
US hits one-million goal; Indians now 10% of all visa applicants worldwide
The US Mission to India has achieved its goal of processing one million non-immigrant visa applications in 2023. This is a significant increase from the previous year and even surpasses the number of cases processed in 2019. The US Embassy and Consulates in India expressed their satisfaction with the growing travel relationship between the two countries.
Wait time in India sky-high, US consulate opens up special visa window for Indians in Frankfurt
According to the State Department's website, the wait times for B1/B2 visa interview appointments in India have reached staggering durations, with 441 days in Hyderabad, 486 days in Chennai, 526 days in Delhi, 571 days in Mumbai, and 607 days in Kolkata. In stark contrast, the wait time in Frankfurt is just three days.
Karnataka to set up exclusive platform for US investments
Karnataka will create a platform to attract US investors, according to the state government, which added that firms were already showing an interest in investing in the region. US Consul General in Chennai Christopher W Hodges was told by the state's chief minister, Siddaramaiah, there were plenty of chances to invest in Tumakuru and Davanagere and and other tier II cities.
F1 visa slots open up in India, making American dream come true for some
Consulates in India are opening up more slots for F1 visas, giving students hope to pursue their Masters in the United States. The US issued over 411,000 F-1 visas in 2022, representing a 15% increase from the previous year, which was the largest non-pandemic increase since 2010. Students seeking F1 visas must be able to prove their non-immigrant intent, ability to pay for their education, and academic goals during interviews at US consulates.
US plans Consulate office in Bengaluru, big relief to techies, students
The Bengaluru consulate will prove to be a boon for the city's techies and students in getting the US visas faster, said BJP MP Tejasvi Surya. “As India’s fastest growing city and IT powerhouse with thousands of international companies, it was a long pending ask. This will help lakhs of Kannadigas and our city,” he tweeted.
US intends to open consulates in Bengaluru, Ahmedabad: White House
The US will open two new consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad to strengthen people-to-people relationships. A senior administration official cited that Indian students have become the largest foreign community in the US, receiving a record 125,000 student visas last year and an increase of 20% YoY. Meanwhile, India's forthcoming Seattle consulate, slated to open by 2023, will be reciprocated with a new US consulate in India
Australia to establish Consulate in Bengaluru: PM Albanese
In his media statement after holding talks with Prime Minister Modi here, Prime Minister Albanese said the opening of the new diplomatic mission in Bengaluru will help in connecting the country's businesses to India's booming digital and innovation ecosystem.
ISRO receives Indo-US jointly developed NISAR satellite
NISAR, an Earth-observation satellite, is being jointly developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
US hands over NISAR satellite to ISRO
NISAR will be used by ISRO for a variety of purposes including agricultural mapping, and landslide-prone areas. The satellite is expected to be launched in 2024 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh, into a near-polar orbit.
Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai makes strong pitch for US consulate in Bengaluru
Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai conveyed this demand when US Ambassador in India Elizebeth Jones and Consul General in Chennai Zudith Revin met him in Bengaluru.
US Air Force's F-35 to debut at Aero India 2023
After a journey from Hill Air Force Base in Utah, US F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team will impress crowds with a demo of its unique aerial capabilities The F-35A Lightning II from Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska will be on static display.
Space sector associations from Indo-Pacific join hands to explore new opportunities
"The formation of ASEIP shall broaden the scope of international space activity, open up a dialogue on the issues faced by the stakeholders, explore collaborative opportunities and models, and synthesise a way forward for all collectively and serve as a cohesive voice for orchestrating international space cooperation," ISpA Director Wg Cdr Satyam Kushwaha (Retd) said.
Defence Offset Policy could be diversified for India's economic benefits
Air Marshall M Matheswaran (Retd.), Chairman and President, The Peninsula foundation, Chennai, who has been a committee member during the defence offset policy formulation spoke about the importance of technology and India being late to the party to reap the benefits.
India, Australia to open more consulates to expand diplomatic footprint
"We agree that we have to continue to deepen our relationship. And I'm pleased to flag with you that Dr Jaishankar and I have agreed that we will keep working to expand our relationship, including our diplomatic footprint in each other's countries," Wong said.
Cargill’s Business Services opens new office in Bengaluru
CBS will have a combined workspace of 3 lakh square feet with 3800 seats in India, with the addition of the new office, stated in the statement.
Russian ship detained at Cochin port released, India raises matter with Estonia
MV MAIA-1, detained in India’s Cochin port, has been released by a court’s decision, according to Russian Consul General in Chennai Oleg Avdeev.
The American Dream: Over 14,600 US student visas issued this year, record intake expected
The US Consulate maintains it will see a record intake of Indian students this year. According to data accessed by TOI, 14,694 student visas ( F1 visas) were issued between January and May 14 this year across the five consulates in India.
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