US visa fee reduced; appointments within a week

NEW DELHI: Indians intending to travel to the US can now get visa appointments within a week and will have to shell out 30 per cent lesser amount for visa fee.

"From today, the visa fee for Indians is 30 per cent lesser," US Ambassador David C Mulford told reporters here.

He said the visa issuance fee of $50 has been waived off as part of restructuring of the system.

On waiting period for visa appointments, Mulford said the backlog had been cleared. "One can now get visa appointment at the Embassy or Consulates within a week,” he said.

The waiting period earlier was up to six months and the Embassy had deployed more manpower to tackle the backlog.

Mulford expressed confidence that the waiting period will now be under check.