Preparing For US Visa Stamping? Get Rid Of Those Spectacles

Hyderabad: Those who are planning for a trip to the United States in future should take note of a new rule that prohibits using pictures of themselves with spectacles for their visa application. This rule is in effect throughout India from Nov 1, 2016.

The US Consul General in Hyderabad has announced that unless one wears the glasses for medical reasons, for which he or she must obtain a signed statement from a medical practitioner, their visa applications with photos bearing glasses will not be processed.

US Consulate offices across Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai had issued about 60,000 US visas to students across India in 2015. The officials reveal that this could have been more had not the visa applications been submitted with poor quality photo identification. Seen on a global scale, about two lakh applications were rejected due to poor quality of glasses, they reveal.

The officials were quick to point out that they were not biased against people wearing glasses but only wanted them off when applicants were taking photos for their visa applications.

The photo requirements for a US visa are as follows:

• Size of the photo - 2 x 2 inches (51mm x 51mm)
• Size of the head must be between 1 - 1 3/8 inches (25 - 35mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
• Should be taken with a neutral face expression or natural smile with both eyes open
• Should be in colour
• No hats or head coverings unless worn for daily religious purposes. Full face must be visible without head coverings casting shadow on face