Fear of tighter US visa norms keeps temples, consultancies busy

While Trump's first term saw record high H-1B denial rates, some argue that things are different this time

- ADITI PHADNIS

As the White House signals it might become harder for Indians to legally live and work in the United States, business is booming for those who provide support services to secure the US visa. These range from coaching centres that prep potential long-term visitors in English language proficiency to temples that provide divine intervention.

Footfalls at the Shree Siddhi Peeth Chamatkari Hanuman Mandir in New Delhi's Neb Sarai have increased, especially since January 20, when Donald Trump was sworn in as US president. Hanuman, the ultimate world traveller - after all, he travelled to a foreign country with no documents to speak of - is the visa-seeker's ishta devata (patron saint).

This temple doesn't ask for a lot: Merely that you come to the temple to present your passport at Hanuman's feet (you can take it back with you immediately) and drop an application written in red ink in a box; recite the Hanuman Chalisa for 41 days; and surrender before the deity, giving up meat, garlic and alcohol. And when you get your visa, register the receipt, also in red ink, in a notebook kept there for giving thanks.

As the US gets tougher with visas, the prayers of US-bound devotees in India are getting more fervent, and their purse strings looser. Called Visa Hanuman temples (there are half a dozen all over India), some of them ask for a 'fee'. But this is small beer compared to the crores Indians shell out every year for a long-term American visa.

For many consultancies, and temples, this is solid revenue flow, especially in the current climate of uncertainty and fear of rejection.

Misplaced concern?