NEW DELHI: The United States has issued more than one million non-immigrant visas to Indians for the second consecutive year, including a record number of visitor visas, demonstrating the high demand for travel to the United States for tourism, business, and education.
Over two million Indians visited the United States in the first eleven months of 2024, a 26% increase over the same period in 2023, according to a statement from the US Embassy and Consulates in India.
The US Embassy in India said, "Over five million Indians already have a nonimmigrant visa to visit the United States and each day the Mission issues thousands more."
This year, the US Department of State successfully concluded a pilot program to renew H-1B visas in the United States. According to a statement from the US Embassy in India, this permitted many Indian specialist occupation workers to renew their visas without leaving the United States. This pilot scheme expedited the renewal procedure for thousands of applicants, and the Department of State plans to establish a US-based renewal service in 2025, TNIE reported.
"The US Mission to India issued tens of thousands of immigrant visas, facilitating legal family reunification and the migration of skilled professionals. These immigrant visa holders became permanent residents upon their arrival, adding to the already rich and sizable Indian diaspora community in the United States," the statement said.
According to the statement, the US Mission to India issued over 24,000 passports and other consular services to American citizens who live and travel in India. A new version of the Smart Traveler Enrolment Program (STEP) was introduced in 2024, making it easier for embassies and consulates to reach US nationals during emergencies and send them safety and security notifications. Increased processing of thousands of interview waiver-eligible nonimmigrant visa applications each week made it quicker and easier than ever for Indians to renew their nonimmigrant visas, according to the statement. By streamlining operations and leveraging global consular resources, the US Mission has been able to redirect its own resources towards in-person interviews, resulting in shorter wait times for all applicants.
The statement added that more Indian students than ever before now have US student visas.
The US Embassy in India noted, "Many exchange visitors will now be able to remain in the United States and not need to return home for two years after completing their programs in the United States, offering them more opportunities to further their careers and education. The removal of India from the Exchange Visitors Skills List has provided greater flexibility for these Indian J-1 nonimmigrant visa holders."
The US Mission to India expressed its commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and providing exemplary consular services.
The statement said, "These achievements over the past year are a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Mission's staff and the enduring partnership between the United States and India.”