External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said he raised concerns with his US counterpart, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, about the prolonged delays faced by Indian citizens in obtaining visas. He said that it as a critical issue and required urgent attention.
“When it came to various regulations and processes, I flagged some concerns which are very widespread in India about delays in visas. The relationship is not well-served if it takes 400 odd days for people to get a visa,” Jaishankar said.
Jaishankar attended President Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony on January 20, 2025. After the ceremony, he held a bilateral meeting with the newly sworn-in Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.
During their discussion, both leaders emphasised the importance of strengthening the US-India strategic partnership. The discussion focused on areas such as critical and emerging technologies, defense cooperation, and energy. Secretary Rubio said that the US administration wishes to work with India to advance economic ties and address concerns related to irregular migration.
This meeting emphasises the importance the US administration is giving to India in its foreign policy.
Jaishankar’s remarks on visa delays come amid ongoing debates over the H-1B visa program in the United States. Indians make up 72 per cent of H-1B visa holders. There are concerns among a section of people in the US that outsiders claim their high-paying jobs.
H-1B visa applicants seeking extensions in the US are advised not to travel outside the country during the process.
According to a report from India Today, visitor visas also take a lot of time to process, with appointment delays of 438 days in Mumbai, 479 days in Chennai, 441 days in Delhi, 436 days in Kolkata, and 429 days in Hyderabad.
Waiting time for Student visa is also similarly lengthy: 193 days in Mumbai, 106 days in Chennai, 150 days in Delhi, 143 days in Kolkata, and 115 days in Hyderabad.
Moreover, Jaishankar participated in a meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) with foreign ministers from the United States, Japan, and Australia.
Jaishankar was seated in the front row during the ceremony among other global dignitaries, marking a significant shift in official protocol. He stated that it was a “great honour” to attend the ceremony as India’s special envoy.
During his visit, Jaishankar carried a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for President Trump.
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‘It takes 400 days to get a visa’: Jaishankar flags visa delay concerns in meeting with Marco Rubio
