India visa backlog sparks need for expert help
July 23 2009 by Rebekah Nahai
India visa seekers face backlog
India’s high commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty has sparked controversy with his comments on India visa seekers.
His remark that ‘touts and brokers forcibly occupy the visa queues by displacing and harassing genuine visa applicants’ has led to allegations that unsavoury characters collude with Indian officials.
India’s high commission denies the allegations. It says Chakravarty was referring to the 25,000 Bangladeshi nationals who obtain visas for India each year but leave the country and don’t return. Chakavarty was also citing the ‘touts and brokers’ who cause problems for those legitimately seeking India visas.
But the high commission’s comment about Bangladeshi nationals have added to the uproar. The Indian government stepped in to distance itself from the statement, saying the government’s viewpoint is not aligned with that of the high commissioner.
Indian visa officials approved 5,23,322 visas in 2008. The increasing application volume is straining India’s current visa system, leading to long waiting times, increased potential for human error, and less leniency toward applicants.
The high commission recognises the need for an improved India visa application process, suggesting larger visa processing facilities and shorter waiting times as part of the solution.
Until improvements have been made, it may be advantageous to seek professional help when applying for Indian visas. Visa consultancy services help to smooth the often complex and time-consuming visa application process.
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