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The United States has increased the number of visa slots available for Indian applicants by 250,000.

The US Mission in India has announced the availability of an additional 250,000 visa appointments for Indian travelers, encompassing tourists, skilled professionals, and students, as stated in a release on Monday. This increase in slots is anticipated to assist Indian applicants in obtaining timely interviews, thereby enhancing travel between the two countries, which is a crucial aspect of US-India relations.

For the second consecutive year, the mission has exceeded one million nonimmigrant visa applications. This summer’s student visa season saw unprecedented numbers processed, with first-time student applicants successfully securing appointments at one of five consular sections in India.

Specialists commented, “Our current center is on rejoining families, developing exchange affiliations, and progressing tourism.”

The advantages for Indians arising from the newly available 250,000 visa slots by the US Mission are as follows:

Indian travelers will experience a reduction in wait times for visa interviews, allowing for quicker scheduling.

Indian students aspiring to pursue their education in the US will have enhanced opportunities to obtain timely visa interviews.

Talented laborers and experts traveling for trade will advantage from assisted visa processing.

Families separated by international borders can utilize these additional slots to hasten their visa interviews, facilitating earlier reunification.

Indian tourists intending to visit the US will now enjoy faster visa processing.

The introduction of these additional appointments is designed to alleviate the current backlog.

Increased Interest in US Visas from India:

As of 2024, over 1.2 million Indians have traveled to the United States, reflecting a 35% increase compared to the same timeframe last year. Approximately six million Indians possess nonimmigrant visas for entry into the US, with the Mission processing thousands of additional applications daily.

Indian students now represent the largest demographic of international graduate students in the United States, accounting for more than 25% of the one million foreign students enrolled. The United States remains one of the top four preferred destinations for Indian students, alongside Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

In 2023, the US issued over 140,000 student visas to Indian nationals, maintaining its position as the leading country for student visa issuance for the third consecutive year, as reported by the US Government office and Offices in India.

The Indian-American community has approved the decision to increase the number of available visa slots. The recent addition of 250,000 appointments marks a significant advancement in facilitating travel for Indian individuals, including families and students, wishing to visit the United States.”

To despite this positive development, further efforts are necessary to address the ongoing challenges of visa backlogs and extended wait times. As a commissioner, he has proposed various recommendations aimed at alleviating visa appointment delays and reducing the green card backlog, which includes the potential implementation of video appointments to enhance efficiency in the process.