The United States embassy and consulates in India issued an unprecedented 1.4 million visas to Indian students in the year 2023, which is more than any country in the world, setting a world record for the third consecutive year.
The embassy noted a 60% surge in applicants compared to 2022, with the US embassy stating that Indians now constitute "one in every ten US visa applicants globally." Indian students are the largest group of international graduate students in the United States. Cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, and Chennai are now at the top four, for student visa processing globally.
The increase in demand was not limited to student visas alone. The US embassy stated that, "Visitor visas (B1/B2) have experienced a significant rebound, marking the second-highest number of applications in the history of the US Mission, surpassing 700,000.
The U.S. The Consular Team in India processed more visas than ever before in 2023, bringing down visitor visa appointment wait times by 75%, from an average of 1,000 days to a remarkable 250 days nationwide. The US embassy and consulates addressed this surge by implementing a three-month staffing increase in Mumbai at the beginning of the year, increasing permanent staff levels and utilising innovative technical solutions, as stated by the US embassy.
Moreover, Employment visas emerged as a top priority for Indians, leading the consular team in India to consolidate petition-based visa processing in Chennai and Hyderabad. This strategic move increased efficiency and resulted in the processing of over 380,000 employment visas for Indians and their family members in 2023.
Looking ahead to 2024, a pilot program is set to streamline the visa renewal process for eligible H1B holders, allowing them to renew their visas in the United States. Additionally, the Consulate General Mumbai successfully addressed a backlog of over 31,000 immigrant visa cases delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic, providing relief to applicants. Those who have a pending immigrant visa petition and are ready for scheduling can now obtain an appointment within the standard, pre-pandemic appointment window.
The U.S. Mission is committed to enhancing consular services in India, striving for efficiency and convenience. Notable investments include the inauguration of a state-of-the-art $340 million facility in Hyderabad in March 2023, plans for two additional consulates in Ahmedabad and Bangalore, ongoing upgrades to existing facilities nationwide, and the permanent deployment of more consular officers to India.
©️ Copyright 2024. All Rights Reserved Powered by Vygr Media
