US opens 250,000 more visa slots to meet demand

The US has released 250,000 additional visa slots for Indians to meet the growing demand from tourists, skilled workers and students.

The new slots “will help Indian applicants take timely interviews, facilitating travel which is the backbone of people-to-people ties that underpin the US-India relationship,” a statement from the US embassy in New Delhi said.

The US mission to India has already surpassed a million non-immigrant visa applications for the second consecutive year.

“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. We are now focused on bringing families together, connecting businesses, and facilitating tourism,” the statement added.

More than 1.2 million Indians traveled to the US so far this year, a 35% jump over the same period last yeaer.

At least six million Indians already have a non-immigrant visa to visit the US, the statement added.

“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 we have delivered on it. Our consular teams at the embassy and four consulates work tirelessly to ensure that we meet the surging demand,” US ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said recently.