From September 26, Indians wanting to apply for a US visa will be able to pay the application fee through electronic fund transfer or through their mobile phones. These facilities are apart from cash payment at 1,800 branches of Axis Bank across the country.
This is part of a new visa processing system being introduced throughout the country to further standardise procedures and simplify fee payments and appointment scheduling through www.ustraveldocs.com/in.
A US Embassy statement said that for the first time, applicants will be able to schedule their appointments online or over phone.
“The new system will also allow companies and travel agents to purchase multiple fee receipts for group travel, and accommodate the scheduling of group and emergency appointments.”
Visa applicants will be able to have their questions answered through telephone, email, or online chat. “Call centre agents in Noida and Hyderabad will answer questions in Hindi, English, Punjabi, Gujarati, Tamil and Telugu,” the statement adds.