The Hindu : Visa restriction

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 19, 2002

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Visa restriction

Sir, — I very much regret to read the news that the Immigration and Naturalisation authorities in the U.S. have decided to curtail the duration of stay of B1/B2 visa-holders to just one month against the present six months, which is easily extendable.

In my own case, when I decided last year to visit our daughter, employed in San Francisco Bay area, I was unduly concerned about having to face long queues at unearthly hours in front of the U.S. Consulate-General in Chennai. The change of procedure introduced by the Consulate-General was so excellent that I completed the entire process in 15 minutes. The visa that reached me at my residence was a multiple entry 10-year valid one which facilitates my travels to the U.S. any number of times during the next 10 years at my pleasure and choice.

On arrival with my wife at the San Francisco International Airport, the immigration clearance took only five minutes with the immigration officer putting just two questions about the purpose of my visit and the duration of my intended stay. The baggage clearance was even simple and it lasted just a minute with only one question from the authorities; whether we were carrying mangoes.

When we left the U.S. 50 days after the September 11 attacks, we were not subjected to any extensive search or questioning and we could move into the waiting lounge within 10 minutes.

The reduction in the duration of stay in the U.S. to just one month will certainly dissuade our visiting that country to be with our children there, thereby depriving us the life-time pleasure of seeing a great nation and its society.

S.V. Srinivasan,
Chennai

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