New Delhi
The US Embassy in India announced on Monday that an additional 250,000 visa appointments have been made available for Indian travelers, including tourists, skilled workers, and students. This move aims to improve travel and strengthen the ties between the two nations.
The US Mission to India emphasized that the new visa slots would help hundreds of thousands of Indian applicants schedule timely interviews, further boosting the people-to-people connections that are a key part of the US-India relationship.
The mission revealed that India has already surpassed one million nonimmigrant visa applications for the second consecutive year. During this year’s student visa season, record numbers of applications were processed, ensuring all first-time student applicants secured an appointment across the five consular sections in India.
As of 2024, more than 1.2 million Indians have traveled to the US, marking a 35% increase compared to the same period in 2023. According to the US Mission, over six million Indians currently hold nonimmigrant visas, with thousands more being issued daily.
Highlighting the growing partnership, the US Senate has designated September 30 as ‘US-India Partnership Day’ to celebrate the deepening ties between the two nations. US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti noted the efforts to meet the increased visa demand, saying consular teams are working hard to expedite the process.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced the opening of two new Indian consulates in Boston and Los Angeles during his visit to the US last week, further enhancing the diplomatic presence between the two countries.
