US issues over 1,40,000 non-immigrant visas in 2010

CHENNAI: The United States Consulate here has issued over 1,40,000 non-immigrant visas to Indian visitors last year.

"The US Consulate General Chennai has issued 1,42,565 non-immigrant visas in 2010, the most among mission India's five consular sections," a release from the Consulate said.

All the five consulates in India granted more than 6,00,000 non-immigrant visa applications in 2010.

"Over 10 per cent of all US non-immigrant visa applications come from India," it said.

Emphasising on the swift processing of visa applications at the Consulate, Bryan Dalton, Consular Chief said, "We want more qualified visa applicants to go to America. We want the visa procedure to be easy, transparent and comfortable process."

Currently, more than a lakh students are studying in the United States.