Indian and USA working together to streamline education visa process

The United States is working with Indian Government to simplify the latter’s education visa, which is one of the most significant hindrance for American students wanting to go to USA for education, a top Obama Administration official has said.

Presently, over 100,000 Indian students come to the USA for education per year, the number of American students who studied in India in 20111-12 was just 4, 300 and much less than the number of students headed to China for studies.

Besides, more US students would like to go to India for studies, but not many able to travel because of difficulties they face in getting the education visa.

The Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Robert Blake, said, “We recognise that there are indeed challenges and hindrances which have prevented more American students from choosing India as a destination.”

He further added, "We are working with the Indian government to streamline education visa processes, which have been repeatedly identified as a key reason for why so few American students go to India. And through a grant from our Embassy in New Delhi, the US-India Educational Foundation is working with Indian institutions of higher education to encourage more US students to study there, including by developing better housing and support offices for foreign students"

The Obama Administration has launched “Passport to India” initiative to send more and more American student to India for studies. The United States is also working with Business and foundations to increase opportunities for more American to experience India during their college or university years through study abroad internships and service learning opportunities.