December 27th 2024.
The US Embassy and its consulate in India have proudly announced a new achievement - they have issued over one million non-immigrant visas for the second consecutive year. This remarkable feat highlights the immense demand among Indians to visit the United States for various purposes such as tourism, business, education, and medical treatment. These visas are specifically designed to allow entry into the US for these specific reasons.
The US Embassy, with a strong commitment to increase Indian visitors to the US after the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic, has consistently achieved impressive numbers. According to an official statement, the number of Indian visitors to the US has increased by five times in the past four years. In fact, in the first eleven months of 2024, over two million Indians have traveled to the US, which is a 26% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This speaks volumes about the growing interest and enthusiasm among Indians to explore the United States.
Currently, there are over five million Indians with non-immigrant visas to the US, and every day, the Embassy issues thousands more. In addition, the US Department of State recently completed a successful pilot program to renew H-1B visas in the US. This allowed many skilled professionals from India to renew their visas without having to leave the country. The program was a major success and has streamlined the renewal process for thousands of applicants. The Department of State is now working towards formally establishing a US-based renewal program in 2025.
Apart from issuing non-immigrant visas, the US Missions have also issued tens of thousands of immigrant visas, enabling legal family reunions and migration of skilled professionals. These immigrant visa holders have gone on to become permanent residents in the US, fulfilling their dreams and aspirations.
In addition, the US Mission has provided more than 24,000 passports and other consular services to American citizens living and traveling in India. This shows their dedication towards serving their own citizens and ensuring their safety and well-being while they are in a foreign country.
The Embassy has also granted US student visas to a whopping 3 lakh Indian students, the highest number ever recorded. In fact, in 2024, India became the top sender of international students to the US for the first time since the 2008/2009 academic year, with over 331,000 students studying in the country. It is also worth noting that India remains the largest sender of international graduate students to the US for the second year in a row. This just goes to show the trust and confidence Indian students have in the US education system.
Furthermore, there has been a 19% increase in the number of Indian graduates, a significant rise compared to previous years. Currently, there are almost 2,00,000 Indian students studying in the US, a testament to the strong educational ties between the two nations. The US Mission is proud to have played a vital role in facilitating this exchange of knowledge and skills between India and the US.
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