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In a major move to accommodate the growing demand for US visas among Indian travelers, the US Embassy has opened an additional 250,000 visa appointments. This initiative aims to facilitate travel for various categories, including tourists, skilled workers, and students. The decision follows the issuance of a record number of student visas this year, with over 1.4 lakh visas granted in 2023 — the highest for any country globally.
The US Embassy stated that these new slots would allow hundreds of thousands of Indian applicants to schedule interviews in a timely manner, aiding their travel plans. The US mission to India has already surpassed one million non-immigrant visa applications for the second consecutive year. The announcement is expected to significantly benefit Indian travelers seeking entry into the US for educational, professional, or personal reasons.
The Embassy highlighted the record number of student visa appointments processed during the 2024 summer. All first-time student visa applicants were able to secure appointments at one of the five consular sections located in Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata.
US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, emphasized the collaboration between the US and Indian governments to streamline the visa process. He acknowledged the ambitious goals set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden to improve and expedite the process. Garcetti said, “Our consular teams at the embassy and four consulates work tirelessly to ensure that we meet the surging demand.”
In 2023, the US issued over 1.4 lakh student visas, and India emerged as the leading country for student visa processing. Taken individually, consulates in Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, and Chennai now rank among the top four posts globally for student visa applications. This surge has led to Indian students becoming the largest group of international graduate students in the US, representing more than a quarter of the over one million foreign students currently studying in the country.
This move is expected to strengthen the already robust educational and professional exchanges between the two nations, providing more opportunities for Indian citizens to study and work in the US.
Sources By Agencies
