US Expands Visa Appointments By 2.5 Lakh For Indian Applicants

The US Mission in India has announced the release of 250,000 additional visa appointments for Indian travelers, including tourists, skilled workers, and students, as part of ongoing efforts to meet surging demand. This expansion aims to streamline the visa application process and help Indian applicants secure timely interviews, further strengthening the people-to-people connections that are a cornerstone of US-India relations.

US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, spoke on the importance of the move, noting that it follows the commitment made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden to enhance and expedite visa procedures. 

Garcetti expressed pride in the ability of the embassy and its four consulates to deliver on that promise, crediting their teams for working tirelessly to manage the rising volume of applications.

So far in 2024, more than 1.2 million Indian citizens have traveled to the United States, a 35 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2023. Additionally, the US Mission has surpassed one million nonimmigrant visa applications for the second consecutive year, reflecting the continued growth in travel between the two nations. These developments come as both countries aim to deepen their bilateral relationship through enhanced mobility and cultural exchanges.