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U.S. adds 250,000 visa slots for Indian travelers amid surging demand
This move aims to address the growing demand for U.S. visas and further strengthen the people-to-people ties that form the backbone of the U.S.-India relationship.
Representative Image / Image- Canva
The U.S. Mission in India has announced the allocation of 250,000 additional visa appointments for Indian travelers, including tourists, skilled workers, and students.
This move aims to address the growing demand for U.S. visas and further strengthen the people-to-people ties that form the backbone of the U.S.-India relationship.
In a statement released on Sept 30, the U.S. Embassy said, "The recently released new slots will help hundreds of thousands of Indian applicants take timely interviews, facilitating the travel which is the backbone of the people-to-people ties that underpin the U.S.-India relationship."
The U.S. Mission to India has opened an additional 250,000 visa appointments for Indian travelers, including tourists, skilled workers, and students. pic.twitter.com/DnPYNNkONN
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) September 30, 2024
The announcement comes as over 1.2 million Indians have traveled to the U.S. in 2024, marking a 35 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023.
U.S. Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, emphasized the significance of the move, stating, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden set an ambitious goal to improve and expedite the visa process, and I’m proud to say that we have delivered on that promise. Our consular teams at the embassy and four consulates work tirelessly to ensure that we meet the surging demand."
The U.S. Mission has already processed over a million nonimmigrant visa applications for the second consecutive year. During the summer, record numbers of student visa applications were processed, with first-time applicants successfully securing appointments at one of the five consular sections in India.
Efforts to reduce visa backlogs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have also been underway, resulting in a 75 percent reduction in wait times for visitor visa appointments in 2023.
With six million Indians already holding nonimmigrant visas and applications continuing to rise, the U.S. remains committed to enhancing the visa process and fostering closer ties between the two nations.
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