Over 1.2 million (12 lakh) Indians have travelled to the United States to date this year, a 35 percent increase over the same period in 2023
Figures released by the American Embassy in India regarding Indians travelling to the US are astounding and show a one-third increase from last year.
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Following better understanding between the leaderships and consequential growing ties between the two countries, the two sides have set ambitious goals to improve and expedite the visa process.
The result, more than 1.2 million (12 lakh) Indians have travelled to the United States to date this year, a 35 percent increase over the same period in 2023. At least six million (60 lakh) Indians already have a non-immigrant visa to visit the United States, and each day, the US Mission is issuing thousands more.
According to a press release issued by the US Embassy and Consulates in India, the US Mission to India has opened an additional 250,000 visa appointments for Indian travellers, including tourists, skilled workers, and students.
The recently released new slots are expected to help hundreds of thousands of Indian applicants take timely interviews, facilitating travel, which is the backbone of the people-to-people ties that underpin the U.S.-India relationship, the release said.
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The US Mission to India has already surpassed one million (10 lakh) non-immigrant 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. We are now focused on bringing families together, connecting businesses, and facilitating tourism,” it added.
It quoted US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti as recently noting, “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.”
