The US Embassy has announced the opening of 250,000 additional visa appointments for Indian travelers, which includes tourists, skilled workers, and students. This decision follows a record issuance of student visas in India this year, exceeding the 1.4 lakh visas issued last year, making India the top country for student visas globally.
Key Highlights:
- The new visa slots are designed to help hundreds of thousands of Indian applicants secure timely interviews, thereby facilitating their travel plans.
- The US mission in India has processed over 10 lakh non-immigrant visa applications for the second consecutive year.
- During the 2024 summer student visa season, the embassy reported that all first-time student applicants were able to obtain appointments at one of its five consular sections across India.
Remarks from US Officials
US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, emphasized the collaborative efforts between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden to enhance and expedite the visa process. He noted that the consular teams at the embassy and four consulates are working diligently to meet the increasing demand for visas.
Record Student Visa Issuance
In 2023, the US issued more than 1.4 lakh student visas, with Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, and Chennai emerging as the top four visa processing posts in the world. This surge has led to Indian students becoming the largest group of international graduate students in the United States, accounting for over a quarter of the one million foreign students studying there.
This initiative by the US Embassy reflects its commitment to facilitating travel and education for Indian nationals, addressing the growing demand for visas amid an increasing number of students seeking opportunities in the US.
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