US gains $ 12 b from overseas students

Tuesday, 31 May , 2005, 14:43

Kochi: Indian and other overseas students studying in the United States are contributing a whopping 12 billion dollars to the American economy every year, says Chief of US Visa at the US Consulate in Chennai Michael D Thomas.

With each student shelling out an average of 20,000 to 30,000 dollars every year, the Indian students' contribution to the US economy was substantial, Thomas told UNI here.

The Indian students, numbering more than 78,521 in 2004, consbreastuted the largest expatriate student group in the US, ahead even of China, he said.

''India is outsourcing education to the US. It is a good thing for both the countries,'' he added.

Stating the number of Indian students studying in the US universities was ''increasing significantly,'' Thomas said the US Consulate in Chennai had scheduled more student appointments this May-end than in the whole of May-August period last year.

While agreeing that the US visa regime had become more stringent in the aftermath of the 9-11 person attacks, Thomas denied that these were discriminatory against the developing countries.

''Our rules remain the same. Only the procedures have been made more stringent,'' he said.

Among the new procedures insisted upon are that the applicant fill the form entirely and not leave any questions unanswered. Also more specific details are being sought on the place of stay and the purpose of visit.

The drop box facility for applications has been dispensed with and finger printing of applicants introduced.

''Finger prints are a must for everybody, even countries such as Singapore, Germany and Britain, which are on the visa waiver list,'' Thomas said.

Only diplomats are being exempted from this condition, he added.