Boon for aspirants seeking US entry

THE US decision to open a consulate in Bengaluru is a boon to thousands of people aspiring to migrate to the US.

The new consulate, expected to open on January 17, will simplify the visa application process for myriads of students, professionals and entrepreneurs.

The move will also boost bilateral trade between India and America, with special emphasis on the tech and innovation sectors.

For Bengaluru residents, the development will be a major breather from travelling to Hyderabad or Chennai for visa-related services. 

Bengaluru contributes around 40% of the country's software industry and the presence of a US consulate will facilitate the ease of visa-related services for techies travelling to America.

A 'site dedication’ ceremony for the upcoming consulate is set for January 17, according to an invitation circulating on social media. 

However, the exact location of the much-anticipated consulate has not been disclosed yet, with the official announcement expected during the event.

As reported by Money Control, the ceremony will take place at a private hotel in Bengaluru. In the interim, the consulate will operate temporarily from the JW Marriott Hotel on Vittal Mallya Road, where it will also begin issuing visas. 

Eventually, the operations will be relocated to a dedicated, fully equipped facility. Currently, the United States Commercial Service (USCS) in Bengaluru functions from the same hotel.

Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya earlier announced on X that the US Consulate would commence operations in Bengaluru starting in January. 

He emphasized that Bengaluru, the IT hub generating 40% of India’s IT revenue, lacked a US Consulate, forcing residents to travel to Chennai or Hyderabad for visa-related matters. Surya stated that addressing this issue had been a priority during his tenure as MP.

Surya credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decisive involvement during his 2023 US visit for finalizing the consulate's establishment on a reciprocal basis. 

US Ambassador Eric Garcetti, during a session with the US-India Business Council (USIBC), acknowledged that the absence of a US Consulate in Bengaluru was a significant oversight for a city recognized globally for its technology and innovation.

Surya also highlighted that the new consulate is expected to benefit 4 to 5 lakh people annually in Karnataka. He pointed out that Bengaluru residents previously had to travel to Chennai, Hyderabad or New Delhi for US visa services, often incurring expenses between ₹25,000 to ₹30,000. 

Despite having one of the largest populations of students and tech professionals travelling to the United States, Bengaluru lacked a consulate. 

Surya expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Modi and welcomed the White House's decision, noting that the new US Consulate will significantly ease visa processing for thousands in the state.

A welcome gesture, indeed.