Visa problems stares at Telangana students
Hyderabad: The cup of woes seemed to be overflowing for students hailing from Telangana state. Even as the Andhra students face the test of nativity for admissions and scholarships, the students pursuing studies abroad can't proudly claim their state as 'T' state in their application for visas as they might face the prospect of rejection.
The students applying for visa to pursue higher education in the United States face a peculiar situation. Their passports mention Andhra Pradesh as their state while their application for visas submitted after June 2 might carry Telangana state.
Parents and students expressed concern that the officials at the port of entry might send them back if their travel documents don't match with that of visa papers.
'To avoid problems during admissions, I mentioned Andhra Pradesh instead of Telangana state as my application might land me in trouble' said a student at the passport office in Secunderbad. He applied for passport well in advance.
Ajay Kumar, whose son is pursuing intermediate, cautions, 'the US officials might send back anyone found to be traveling with documents with different set of addresses on their arrival in the US.'
He said the external affairs ministry should have informed the students and parents about the fallout of bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. The students applying for visa after June 2 mention their state as Telangana, but some of them continue to mention Andhra Pradesh to avoid clash of address as stated in the passport.
Will the Telangana address affect the student's application status? No, says Ms April Wells, Public Affairs Officer, US Consulate General, Hyderabad.
'All visa applicants should list their current address, including the name of the state. However, how the state is listed will not disadvantage a visa applicant,' Ms Wells said.
News Posted: 21 June, 2014
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