The visa turnabout

In Asia, Obama’s America is quite the tourist attraction. The world has watched the American people achieve the unthinkable – vote a man of colour into the highest office. Have the American people really overcome racism? This we felt, we had to see for ourselves.



But getting a visa is like climbing a mountain. Earlier, the first trip required an interview. Thereafter people applied for subsequent trips through a drop box. Generally by the same evening the visa was granted. But now the rules have changed. Every visit needs an interview.

The Consul people have also distanced themselves from the general public. Initial screenings have been outsourced. It’s an experience you don’t want to repeat in a hurry because of the tedium. It makes sense to keep your application answers short and to the point. And to remember to repeat them in the interviews, answers in each case need to match.

Anyway, you apply for the "interview" online, but the given time slot actually means that you join the queue at that time – the actual face-to-face may occur several hours later. The queue is placed about a hundred meters away from the building. There are few tourists, the majority are young IT professionals.

Security consciousness means you carry in only your relevant documents. Purses, folders, water and even facial tissues are suspect on consular premises. If you need a cough drop, exit, return to the security room outside and bite into the lozenge in the presence of the security personnel. Then reenter as before and hope your throat doesn’t act up again to force a repeat routine.

The outsourced interface sometimes causes confusion. You wearing reading glasses at the interview and not in your application photograph becomes an issue. Yes, you’re asked to furnish a new set of bespectacled pictures forthwith. Luckily small photoshops in the vicinity cater to this very need. By the way, don’t smile in the photograph, it’s frowned upon.

Your papers are scrutinized at length and you’re photographed and fingerprinted to good measure. Your verbal answers are also compared with your written application. The outsourced personnel don’t smile and don’t encourage you to be friendly either during the long preamble. Comparatively, the actual interview with the visa official is fleeting. Seems they make up their minds even before they get to see you. That’s when the genuine American nationals appear. Strangely, some of them can smile!

9/11 has perhaps made South Asia grossly suspect. Still, USA appears less afraid of imminent threats than many of her allies. Close neighbor Canada believes in family history - you’re asked the antecedents of three generations, parents, siblings and children. (Indeed a lot of paperwork if you’re from a large family!)

You must have a ticket to be considered for a visa to a European nation. But visa applications aren’t allowed in advance even if you have a ticket. The count begins from the date of issue, not the date of travel. Having a US visa does seem to facilitate matters however - others defer to the American judgement.

Cont'd...