India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently announced on the occasion of the 12th Passport SevaDiwas that 1.65 crore passport related services were provided and over 14 lakh visa applications were processed by the Ministry of External Affairs of India in 2023. This number is 15% higher than the previous year, which is a remarkable achievement. On this occasion, the External Affairs Minister appreciated the efforts and functioning of the Ministry and also spoke about the future plans.
Significant Growth in Passport Service
Over the past few years, the Indian passport service system has seen a significant improvement. This has been reflected not only in the number but also in the quality and efficiency of the service. In 2023, 1.65 crore passport services were executed, which indicates that the demand for passports among Indian citizens is increasing rapidly. This growth is due to various reasons, such as the growing needs of international travel, education, employment, and immigration.
Advancement in Visa Services
Along with this, the Ministry of External Affairs also processed more than 14 lakh visa applications in 2023, which is 15% more than the previous year. This growth shows that India is not only an emerging global player but is also becoming an attractive destination for foreigners. The increasing demand for visas in India shows that India’s attractiveness is increasing internationally, whether it is in the field of tourism, education, business, or medical tourism.
Integration of Latest Technology
The External Affairs Minister also informed on the occasion that the Ministry is constantly striving to make passport and visa services more efficient and simple by using the latest technology. The most important step in this direction is to speed up the verification process through the Passport Police App and DigiLocker. This initiative makes the verification process transparent and faster, saving time for passport applicants and providing them a seamless experience.
Expansion of Passport Services Abroad
The External Affairs Minister also informed that the passport issuance system has been activated in 187 Indian Missions and Posts abroad. This system is a great relief for Indian citizens living abroad, as it facilitates them in renewing their passports or applying for a new passport. This move has enhanced engagement with the Indian community abroad and they are getting timely and accessible services.
Excellent functioning of the Ministry of External Affairs
The excellent functioning of the Ministry of External Affairs has to be applauded, which has brought such a huge improvement in passport and visa services. This is not only limited to the increase in the number of services, but it is also reflected in the quality in which these services are being provided. The Ministry has ensured that citizens receive timely and efficient services, and continuous efforts are being made to improve their experience.
Importance of Indian Passport
The Indian passport today is not only a travel document, but it is also a symbol of India’s growing global influence. Indian passport holders today can travel easily across the world, and many countries even offer visa-on-arrival or visa-free entry. This is a result of India’s growing global reputation, and is an important part of the efforts of the Ministry of External Affairs.
Expansion of Visa Services
The Ministry of External Affairs has taken several steps to improve visa services not only for Indian citizens, but also for foreign nationals. The process of obtaining visas for tourism, medical tourism, and education in India has been simplified and made faster. In addition, the facility of e-visa has also made the visa process more accessible, making it more attractive for foreigners to travel to India.
Future Plans
The External Affairs Minister also informed on the occasion that in the future, the Ministry will strive to make passport and visa services more advanced and technologically equipped. For this, the Ministry will use new technologies, and introduce new initiatives to improve the quality and efficiency of services.
This initiative of the Ministry of External Affairs is a major achievement for both Indian citizens and foreigners. This is not only a testament to India’s administrative capability but also shows that India is an emerging global leader that is constantly improving its services.
Visa policy and immigration rules in countries of the world
Visa policy and immigration rules are different in different countries of the world, and each country has its own specialty. Even in a large and diverse country like India, visa rules for foreigners keep changing from time to time. Here we will give information about the visa policy and immigration rules of some major countries.
America
Visa and immigration rules in America keep changing from time to time. The US visa policy is extremely detailed and complex, which includes many types of visas and categories of immigration. Recently, the US administration has announced a plan to provide citizenship to illegal immigrants, which will give an opportunity to about five lakh illegal immigrants to obtain citizenship. This scheme can bring a significant change in the lives of illegal immigrants living in America.
Canada
Canada’s visa policy and immigration rules are quite liberal compared to other countries of the world. Canada has introduced several schemes for immigrants in recent years, including Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and Student Visa. Canada constantly keeps improving its rules to attract immigrants, and this is why this country has become a popular destination for immigrants.
Australia
Australia’s visa policy and migration rules are quite strict, but in recent years some flexibility has also been seen in it. Australia has simplified and accelerated its visa system to attract immigrants under skilled migration programs. Apart from this, Australia has also relaxed some visa rules for international students, making this country a popular destination in the field of education.
Europe
Visa policy and migration rules in Europe depend on the country. Under the Schengen visa, 26 countries of Europe can be visited through a single visa, making it an attractive option. However, migration rules and visa policy in Europe can be quite complex, and each country has its own specificity.
UAE
The UAE’s visa policy and migration rules have become quite flexible in the last few years. The UAE has made its visa system more accessible to attract migrants under the Golden Visa, Green Visa, and various investment visa programs. In addition, the UAE has also started issuing long-term residence visas, encouraging investors, professionals, and entrepreneurs to settle in the country.
Conclusion
The announcement by the Ministry of External Affairs of India to perform 1.65 crore passport services and process over 14 lakh visa applications in 2023 is not only a great achievement but also shows that India’s passport and visa service system is becoming highly advanced and efficient. The integration of the latest technology and expansion of passport services abroad are important steps in this direction.
Along with this, the visa policy and migration rules of other countries of the world are also of great importance to Indian citizens. Visa and migration related issues.
