US Visa: 250,000 New Slots Opened for Indians

The U.S. has made it easier for Indian travelers to visit by adding 250,000 new visa appointments. This includes visas for tourists, skilled workers, and students, and it’s done to keep up with the rising number of Indians wanting to travel to the U.S.

So far in 2024, over 1.2 million Indians have visited the U.S., which is a 35% increase from last year. Currently, around 6 million Indians hold non-immigrant visas, showing strong connections between India and the U.S. in terms of travel and work.

The U.S. Embassy said these new appointment slots will help many Indian applicants get interviews quickly and make it easier for them to travel.

In 2023, the U.S. granted over 140,000 student visas to Indian applicants, making India the top country for U.S. student visas. They expect even more visas to be issued in 2024.

U.S. Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, praised the hard work of consular teams in handling the growing demand for visas. He mentioned that the goal is to improve the visa process, as promised by leaders from both countries.

With more Indian students studying in the U.S., they now make up over 25% of all international students there. This increase in visa appointments shows that the relationship between the U.S. and India is getting stronger, making it easier for Indians to travel and study in the U.S.