The US Mission in India recently announced the opening of an additional 250,000 visa appointment slots for Indian travellers, which includes tourists, skilled workers, and students. This expansion aims to ease the visa process for Indian applicants, ensuring timely interviews and facilitating travel that supports the strong ties between the United States and India.
In an official statement, the US Embassy in New Delhi highlighted the significant increase in Indian travel to the US in 2024, with over 1.2 million Indians visiting the country—a 35% rise compared to the same period in 2023. The surge in demand has prompted the embassy to take proactive steps to accommodate the growing number of applicants.
"The US Mission to India has already surpassed one million nonimmigrant visa applications for the second consecutive year. During our student visa season this summer, we continued to process record numbers, and all first-time student applicants were able to obtain an appointment at one of our five consular sections around India," the US Embassy said in a statement.
It added, "We are now focused on bringing families together, connecting businesses, and facilitating tourism. At least six million Indians already have a nonimmigrant visa to visit the United States, and each day, the Mission issues thousands more."
US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, praised the efforts made by consular teams across India, saying, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden set an ambitious goal to enhance and expedite the visa process, and I am proud to say we have delivered on that promise." He further acknowledged the tireless work of the embassy and consulate teams in meeting the surging demand for visas.
The embassy has already processed over one million nonimmigrant visa applications for the second consecutive year, with record numbers handled during the recent student visa season. First-time student applicants were able to secure appointments across the five consular sections in India, ensuring smooth processing for their travel needs.
Currently, over six million Indians hold nonimmigrant visas, and the US Mission continues to issue thousands more each day.
(With PTI and ANI inputs)
