US Embassy in India Achieves Milestone by Issuing Over 1 Million Visas for the Second Successive Year
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New Delhi, Dec 27 (NationPress) The US Embassy along with its consulate in India has set a remarkable milestone, issuing more than one million non-immigrant visas for the second consecutive year.
This record number of non-immigrant visas highlights the significant demand from Indians wishing to travel to the United States for tourism, business, education, medical treatment, and other purposes. A non-immigrant visa allows entry into the United States for these specific reasons.
The US Embassy, committed to increasing the number of Indian visitors to the US following the Covid pandemic, has consistently maintained impressive figures over the years.
“In the last four years, the number of visitors from India has surged fivefold, with over two million Indians traveling to the United States in the first eleven months of 2024, reflecting a 26 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023,” the Embassy remarked in an official statement.
Currently, more than five million Indians hold non-immigrant visas for visiting the United States, and the Mission issues thousands more each day.
“This year, the US Department of State successfully completed a pilot program for renewing H-1B visas within the United States. This initiative enabled many specialty occupation workers from India to renew their visas without exiting the country. The pilot program has streamlined the renewal process for thousands of applicants, and the Department of State aims to formally establish a US-based renewal program in 2025,” it further stated.
The US Missions have also granted tens of thousands of immigrant visas, aiding in legal family reunification and the migration of skilled professionals, many of whom have become permanent residents.
“Additionally, the US mission has provided over 24,000 passports and other consular services to American citizens residing and traveling in India,” it noted in a press statement.
The Embassy has also issued US student visas to over 300,000 Indian students, marking its highest record to date.
“In 2024, India emerged as the leading sender of international students for the first time since the 2008/2009 academic year, with more than 331,000 students studying in the United States. India continues to be the largest provider of international graduate students in the US for the second consecutive year,” stated the US mission.
Furthermore, the number of Indian graduates has increased by 19 percent compared to previous years, with nearly 200,000 students currently enrolled.
