BHARATI PAWASKAR
TG Life: How difficult it is to get a particular type of visa in a foreign country? How stringent are US visa rules, post 9/11? Who can get a relaxation?
Dobrina Ustun: Unfortunately, as we become more global, countries have become more protective. Unfortunate events like 9/11, create additional hurdles for travelers and visa holders. Due to security concerns, all US citizens will be required to register online prior to going to Europe, starting 2021. This is not a visa, but it will be a mandatory requirement to travel.
TG Life: What are the current criteria for issuing business visas to foreign nationals? How simplified or complicated is the process?
DU: Sadly, there is no red carpet. The criteria for issuing business visas to foreign nationals has become more complicated, where the US requires each visa applicant to provide all e-mail accounts and social media handles. This has been a burdensome requirement for business travelers because a consular officer can deny your visa if they do not like your Instagram post. I understand that governments want to prevent bad people from entering their country, but when was the last time someone wrote their bad intentions on social media and went for a visa interview? Never!
TG Life: What are the precautions one must take while trying to leave his/her country of origin and applying for the nationality of another country?
DU: The first thing to remember is that immigration is different from tourism. For example, I might love my experience as a tourist in India but that does not mean that I will have the same experience as an immigrant. Second, people need to have an action plan, outline the reasons they want to immigrate and describe the objectives they want to achieve in their new country. Having this roadmap will take them from point A to point B, and will prevent them from making mistakes they could have avoided.
TG Life: Which are the businesses that have equal demand in both India and the US?
DU: I think the demand for technology and innovation is currently leading in both US and India. As I mentioned above, AI, 5G, IoT are the leading technological innovations. Fields like telecommunication and healthcare are booming and they will continue to do so for the next decade.
TG Life: Do start-ups have growth potential? If yes, why and how.
DU: Startups always have a potential as long as they are innovative and focus on the next new thing. For example, people loved Facebook, then came Instagram, then Snapchat and now we have Tic Toc. Whoever is on the forefront of innovation, will grow and glow.
TG Life: What are the things that are common between India and the US that allow the ease of doing business (or job) in each other’s country?
DU: My observation is that both countries are thirsty for innovation. As long as they continue to have this drive, the business will thrive.
TG Life: Your comment on the global economic scenario, as the advisor to Global Chamber in USA, that has 100 plus chapters in 40 plus countries
DU: The Global economy is doing well, and it will continue to do so despite small setbacks. Today, the world is connected 24/7 and doing business globally is not going anywhere. Developing countries like China and India are on the forefront of the global race. In addition, Africa is emerging as a great destination for investments and large global projects. And of course, the US is always open for business.
What we might see in the coming decade is perhaps large investments in AI technology, 5G and IoT (Smart cities).
