The US has expanded its visa services in India to reduce global wait times and meet the surging demand for travel and student visas. The US Embassy is adding 250,000 additional visa appointments in the country as more than 1.2 million Indians have visited the United States so far in 2024.
The expansion was announced as US consulates around the world continue to face high demand for visas, particularly from India, which has now become the leading source of international students in the US for the second year running.
Record demand from India
In response to a 35% increase in Indian visitors to the US compared to the same period in 2023, the US Embassy in India has taken significant steps to streamline its visa process. The embassy announced the availability of an additional 250,000 visa appointments, catering to Indian tourists, skilled workers and students.
“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,” the US Embassy stated.
The numbers highlight India’s growing role in US immigration and education. More than six million Indian citizens currently hold non-immigrant visas, and in 2023, over 140,000 study visas were issued to Indian students. For 2024, record numbers are anticipated.
Strengthening US-India relations
US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, emphasised the importance of this milestone, 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.”
Speaking at the IC3 conference in Delhi, Garcetti noted that the US aims to deepen ties with India, not only by welcoming more Indian students but also by increasing the number of American students studying in India as part of a broader cultural and educational exchange initiative.
Global visa wait times and expansion in the Philippines
The US Department of State regularly updates global visa wait times which vary based on location. Wait times in India have significantly improved. In 2022, applicants faced waits of up to 245 days, but this has now dropped to an average of 56 days in New Delhi and 70 days in Mumbai.
In addition to its efforts in India, the US expanded its visa services in the Philippines, where a new Visa Application Centre in Manila was opened on 28 September. This centre features an updated online appointment system designed to streamline the visa application process for Filipino applicants. According to Open Doors data, 3,818 students from the Philippines were studying in the US during the 2022-2023 academic year, and the expansion is expected to support further educational exchanges between the two countries.
Improving the visa process
US consular officers continue to examine various factors that impact visa wait times, including visa overstay rates and the economic conditions of applicants’ home countries. US Homeland Security Data from 2022 shows that India had a relatively low visa overstay rate of 3%, compared to higher rates in countries like Ghana (18%) and Nigeria (20%).
The expansion of their visa services serves as the country’s commitment to accommodate growing demand while strengthening relationships with key partner destinations such as India and the Philippines.
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