The US diplomatic missions in India have announced the availability of an additional 250,000 visa appointments for Indian travelers, including tourists, skilled professionals, and students.
According to a statement from the US Embassy, these new slots are designed to help "hundreds of thousands of Indian applicants" secure timely interview appointments.
The embassy underscored that "facilitating travel is the cornerstone of the people-to-people connections that form the foundation of the US-India relationship."
In its statement, the US Mission to India highlighted that it has processed over one million nonimmigrant visa applications for the second year in a row.
"During this summer's student visa season, we continued to process record numbers, ensuring that all first-time student applicants were able to schedule appointments at one of our five consular sections across India. Our current focus is on reuniting families, fostering business connections, and promoting tourism," the statement added.
The mission also noted that over 1.2 million Indians have traveled to the US in 2024 so far, a 35% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
It further stated that six million Indians already hold nonimmigrant visas, with thousands more being issued daily.
US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, commented on the progress, saying, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden set an ambitious goal to improve and accelerate the visa process, and I am proud to say we have delivered on that promise. Our consular teams at the embassy and four consulates are working tirelessly to meet the growing demand."
