The online visa application process removes the risk of wasting precious time by posting off an incomplete or invalid form that needs to be returned and ammended. The new online US immigration forms are intended to cut times and simplify the process - informing applicants immediately if they have made an error.

The online system for non-immigrant visas will be available for use by Indian applicants from 1 February 2010. Jim Herman, the minister-counselor for consular affairs at the US embassy in Mumbai says, “the new application forms will ask only those questions that are relevant to you as an applicant.” Instead of a traditional written signature, the applicant will have to provide a digital signature in the form of a unique code.

The visa application service can be used by people simply looking to visit the US on holiday, right up to those who want to study in the US for several years on a student US visa.