US Opens Additional 250,000 Visa Appointments for Indian Travelers
The US Embassy in India announced on Monday that it has opened an additional 250,000 visa appointments for Indian travelers, including tourists, skilled workers, and students.
According to the US Mission to India, “The newly released slots will help hundreds of thousands of Indian applicants secure timely interviews, facilitating travel that strengthens the people-to-people ties fundamental to the US-India relationship.”
The Indian Mission has already surpassed one million nonimmigrant visa applications for the second consecutive year. “During our student visa season this summer, we processed record numbers, ensuring all first-time student applicants could secure an appointment at one of our five consular sections across India. We are now focusing on reuniting families, connecting businesses, and promoting tourism,” the statement added.
So far in 2024, over 1.2 million Indians have traveled to the United States, marking a 35% increase compared to the same period in 2023. The US Mission noted that at least six million Indians currently hold a nonimmigrant visa to visit the US, with thousands more being issued daily.
The embassy emphasized that the partnership between the United States and India is “stronger, closer, and more dynamic than ever,” coinciding with the US Senate designating September 30 as ‘US-India Partnership Day’ to recognize the contributions of both countries to one another.
US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti remarked, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden set an ambitious goal to improve and expedite the visa process, and I am proud to say we have delivered on that promise. Our consular teams at the embassy and four consulates work diligently to meet the surging demand.”
During his recent visit to the United States, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the opening of two new Indian consulates in Boston and Los Angeles. “Last year, I announced the opening of a new Indian consulate in Seattle and sought suggestions for two additional consulates. India has now decided to open new consulates in Boston and Los Angeles,” PM Modi shared while engaging with the Indian diaspora at New York’s Nassau Coliseum.
