It's a Family Affair, SPAN March/April 2009



Consulates In India CHENNAI • HYDERABAD • MUMBAI • KOLKATA	Contact Us • Privacy Notice

Embassy Home Page

Contents

SPAN Home

Related Link
For this Article

http://hyderabad.usconsulate.gov/

Published by the Public Affairs Section, American Center, 24 Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi 110001 (phone: 23472000), on behalf of the American Embassy, New Delhi.

Subscription Information

It's a Family Affair
No more traveling to get a travel visa. Andhra Pradesh residents are now receiving U.S. visas close to home, in Hyderabad.

To view the article in magazine format,
Please click here for the PDF File

The first visas issued by the new U.S. Consulate General in Hyderabad were given to the family of Salauddin Khan on March 4. The visas allowed the Khans to visit the United States for business or pleasure. The Khans say they are looking forward to visiting New York, Atlantic City, New Jersey and Las Vegas, Nevada. It was a milestone for those who had worked to establish a U.S. diplomatic facility in the Andhra Pradesh capital for years-even before President George W. Bush, during his 2006 visit, announced the U.S. commitment to open a consulate general in Hyderabad.

Among those on hand to wish the Khans well and celebrate the milestone was Consul General Cornelis M. Keur. "Although the Consulate General has been operating since my arrival in July 2008, the opening of our consular section was delayed until the completion of the Paigah Palace renovation project," he says. "My colleagues and I are pleased that we are finally able to provide consular services to Indian and American citizens residing in Andhra Pradesh."

In the first week of operations, 23 visas were issued and by mid-March the number was up to 275. The Consulate General has scheduled appointments to permit testing systems and training of personnel, but expects to interview 400 people per day by the end of April.

The Consulate General is operating from temporary quarters at the Paigah Palace until a permanent building is constructed. Although the formal ceremony marking the opening at the Paigah Palace facility took place last October, renovation, refurbishing and security checks had to be completed before it was ready for the public. -L.K.L.