US to ease visa fee payment process

KOCHI: In a bid to ease the fee payment process for US visas, the country's embassy announced a new visa processing system. Under the new system, visa applicants can transfer the fee through their mobile phones. It will come into effect from September 26. "India is the only country where we have introduced this kind of system", said Michael Cathey, deputy chief of consular services, American Consulate General, Chennai. He was speaking at the US country presentation on 'Doing Business with USA' at the Emerging Kerala meet on Wednesday. USA is eager to hold talks with industrialists in Kerala to invest in India. James Golsen, principal commercial officer for south India from US consulate, Chennai, said, "The US is open for your business. Our commercial officers will help connect Kerala businessmen with the best of US business partners. We can meet again to discuss the trade and finance options here." Various American companies have evinced interest in Kerala and are participating in the investors' meet. Representatives of consumer goods company Amway, global metal trading firm Anbakam Metals, international media and market research firm Arbitron Inc., IT firm Cognizant, beverage company Coca-Cola, English language instruction and university preparation network ELS, and cargo transporter FedEX attended the session. TNN September 13, 2012 http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-13/kochi/33815761_1_visa-applicants-new-visa-consular-services