Excellent news for all those planning to travel to India from the US. The CDC and State Department have eased COVID restrictions(visa norms). The CDC has devised five levels to evaluate the risk of COVID in various nations, ranging from ‘low level’ to ‘very high level. India has been moved from the ‘Level 3’ group to the ‘Level 1’ category and named a ‘low-risk country.’ Now, foreign travelers who are fully vaccinated are being allowed entry into the US with a valid Visa. USA Relaxes Travel Rules for IndiaThe US has eased the travel advisory for India to Level 3. Due to a dip in cases in India, a Level 1 Travel Health Notice has been issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the country. According to the State Department, the risk of a traveler contracting and developing severe symptoms due to COVID-19 might be lower if he is vaccinated fully with a vaccine that the FDA authorizes. Before making any international travel plan, the specific recommendations of the CDC for unvaccinated and vaccinated travelers should be reviewed. Passengers have to be vaccinated fully, and a negative test must also be undergone 72 hours prior to boarding the flight. They need to be inoculated fully with vaccines that have been authorized by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) or which come with the World Health Organization’s Emergency Use Listing. Since India has been declared safe by the USA and all US citizens traveling to India, a ‘Level One’ notice has been issued; travelers who are vaccinated fully and visiting India will have a reduced risk of contracting Covid-19 and suffering from its symptoms.What are the Visa Rules for the USA?The visa rules for the USA are quite straightforward. For Indians to be eligible for a US visa, the following criteria must be fulfilled:
- A valid Indian passport is required prior to applying for a visa.
- The person should not have any ongoing cases or prior criminal cases.
- The applicant needs a letter of acceptance from any university if he is applying for a student visa. In the case of a business visa, a letter of confirmation from an employer will be needed.
- He should have a flight ticket to the US as well as a return ticket to India.
- The traveler should have satisfied all the important requirements to get a US visa meant for Indians.
- He should have enough funds to cover his expenses financially during his stay in the US.
- US Visa fee receipt
- DS 160 confirmation printout
- Passport size photographs
- Form 16 / Income Tax Returns for the last three years
- Day-wise itinerary
- A valid Indian passport that is valid at least for the next six months, and at least three blank pages along with previous passports, if any.
- Personal cover letter (Letterhead for Self-Employed and Plain paper for Employed individuals)
- Confirmation of interview appointment letter
- Invitation letters from employers, supervisors, or other sponsoring organizations
- A detailed statement that elaborates the purpose of the traveler’s visit to the US
- Bank statements and financial records that show enough funds to meet the expenses during the stay and cover the trip costs
- A description of the research’s practical applications (in case the traveler would be visiting the US for research purposes)
- Application for the current USA visa process can be filed either online or offline. The online process is much easier, and you must follow this recommended process to apply for a US visa online.
- Collect all the necessary documents, as mentioned above.
- Apply through the online portal.
- Choose the proper visa type.
- Fill out the Form DS-160.
- Affix the necessary documents.
- Once the form has been filled up, two appointments should be scheduled as a part of the visa processing. The first appointment would be needed for gathering all the biometric details, digital photographs, and fingerprint scanning. The second appointment will be for fixing a personal interview along with the consulate. A non-refundable fee of $160 will also have to be paid at the time of the appointment.
- After the interview, the applicant will be informed about the visa decision on the spot. In case it is approved, the passport will be kept at the consulate. It will be given back in just 3-4 days after the interview. If it is rejected, the US Embassy will immediately return the passport. A letter of rejection will be attached along with the same.
