The US Mission to India has achieved something remarkable in 2023 – they set out to handle one million non-immigrant visa applications, and they have not only reached that target but gone beyond it. In fact, they have already surpassed the number of applications processed in 2022. They are now dealing with nearly 20 percent more applications than they did back in 2019, before the pandemic hit.
According to an official statement issued by the Embassy of the US, New Delhi, Ambassador Eric Garcetti, emphasized the significance of the relationship between the United States and India. He stated, “Our partnership with India is one of the United States’ most vital connections, and it holds immense global importance. The bonds between our people have grown stronger, and we are committed to maintaining this record-breaking pace of visa processing in the coming months. This will provide as many Indian applicants as possible with the opportunity to visit the United States and experience the friendship between our two nations first hand.”
In the previous year, more than 1.2 million Indians travelled to the United States, solidifying this as one of the most robust travel connections globally. Indians now make up over 10 percent of all visa applicants worldwide, including a significant 20 percent of student visa applicants and a substantial 65 percent of those applying for H&L-category employment visas. The United States is delighted to witness this growth.
Acknowledging the ongoing high demand for US visas in India, the United States continues to make substantial investments in its operations there. Over the past year, the Mission has expanded its workforce to handle more visa applications than ever before. Significant enhancements have been made to existing facilities, like the US Consulate in Chennai, and a brand new Consulate building has been inaugurated in Hyderabad.
The Mission has also adopted strategies to enhance efficiency, including extending interview waiver eligibility to new visa categories and allowing staff from around the world to contribute to Indian visa processing through remote work. In the early part of the next year, the Mission plans to launch a pilot program enabling qualified H&L-category employment visa applicants to renew their visas domestically.
As highlighted in the Joint Statement issued by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden during the President’s recent visit to India, the United States and India share an “intimate and enduring” partnership. Improved visa processing is just one example of the ongoing commitment of the US Mission to India to strengthen this partnership.