Date:29/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/29/stories/2008092954760500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Dos and don’ts for US-bound

Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD: Applying for a US visa under different/incorrect categories or adopting fraudulent practices to secure a visa could land you in trouble. The centralised database system to become operational most likely from October will help officials keep track of the status and history of visa applicants across all US consulates around the globe. A former Chief Consular Investigator (Anti-Fraud Unit) with the American Embassy, New Delhi, Himish Bhatnagar, also cautioned participants at an interaction programme on Sunday against illegally overstaying in US as a serious note was taken of such issues, what with the new database system in place.

“Once someone overstays illegally even for a small duration and approaches any consulate anywhere across the globe, they’d be caught and could be deported to their home country besides being blacklisted,” he warned. The seminar-cum-interaction session was organised by Ameyas, a private consulting firm, and well attended by students, software professionals and dependents (spouses).

Fingerprints

Apart from this, all fingers would be biometrically fingerprinted henceforth when compared to the earlier system where only the index finger was being fingerprinted, he revealed. Mr. Bhatnagar was asked several queries about employment visas like the H-1, H-2B, L etc.

He explained that the reputation and the history of the company’s previous US-based employees and its financial documentation would be considered when granting an employment visa. He advised visa applicants to be fair and frank in their documentation. “Do not hide relevant and necessary facts from a visa officer. It is better if you tell them in a systematic way. This lessens the damage when compared to the diplomatic mission knowing about it during their investigations,” he told one participant. Agreeing there are loopholes in checking fraud, he said US diplomatic missions have fraud detecting units which go about efficiently once their suspicions are aroused.