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Our Bureau

Kolkata, Nov. 2

As part of countrywide effort to streamline the process of applying for non-immigrant visas to the US, the Consulate General of United States in Kolkata has reduced the waiting time for visa appointments.

Right now, there are 5,000 visa appointment slots through the end of December and only 2,800 of these appointments have been taken. In other words, 2,200 appointments are available.

The applicants who have scheduled their dates for appointments in 2007, therefore, can reschedule their dates in November and December, according to a statement issued by the US Consulate here.

Several steps have been taken by the US Consulate here for quick clearance of the visa applications.

There are two permanent officers to process visa applications. They will soon be joined by a third one. In addition, consular officers from Paris and Hong Kong have come here to conduct visa interviews and help clear the backlog of appointments.

Also, the working hours have been extended till 1900 hrs on working days.

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