Treat Visa Forms on Merit: MEA

Govt stays engaged with US to ensure legitimate interests of Indian nationals safeguarded

- JAYANTH JACOB @ New Delhi

INDIA has called for a merit-based approach to visa applications for its citizens as the United States rolls out stricter screening measures, particularly for students and exchange visitors. "We remain engaged with the US side on all mobility issues and consular issues to ensure that the legitimate interests of Indian nationals are safeguarded," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Thursday.

Responding to queries on recent US visa guidelines, Jaiswal acknowledged that immigration and visa matters fall under the sovereign domain of individual countries. However, he added: "It is our belief that all visa applications of Indian nationals should be treated based on merit."

The spokesperson said, "On the guidelines regarding visa issues, yes, you see, visa matters, immigration matters are matters which pertain to sovereign functions of any country. But having said that, we have seen the guidelines issued by the US side, with the US Embassy here, US government, regarding providing details of social media identifiers in visa applications."