The surge in demand for visas to the United States, particularly from students viewing it as a gateway to international careers, has prompted the U.S. Embassy to initiate special visa processing events. Last Saturday, March 9, 2024, marked the commencement of the first of four planned “Super Saturday” visa processing events for the year.
In New Delhi, the Embassy conducted interviews for over 1,000 visitor visa applicants, with Ambassador Garcetti personally joining the team to assist in the verification process. Meanwhile, The other US Consulates also opened the drive; the one located in Mumbai screened 1,500 visa applicants as part of this initiative.
India has witnessed a staggering increase in students pursuing higher education abroad, with an estimated 1.5 million currently studying in foreign universities, eight times higher since 2012. Among these students, the United States remains the most sought-after destination. Additionally, elderly parents visiting their children , temporary workers, visitors, and businessmen all turned out in significant numbers for visa approvals.
The “Super Saturday” drives, which have been periodically conducted since 2022, are now set to become a quarterly feature. This move aims to streamline the visa application process and cater to the growing demand from the Indian public.
Responding to the overwhelming demand, consular authorities made extensive arrangements on Saturday, including seating, water, food, and wheelchairs for applicants. Notably, applicants traveled from various parts of the country, demonstrating the widespread interest in U.S. visas beyond Maharashtra and western India.
Ambassador Garcetti expressed his enthusiasm for the event on X, stating, “Super excited for #SuperSaturday! Today I joined our consular team who are making extra efforts to serve visa applicants. We remain committed to meeting the unprecedented demand for U.S. visas.”
Media reports indicate that the U.S. Mission in India has bolstered its staffing and implemented technological advancements to handle the surge in visa applications.The Embassy of US and Consulates in India processed 1.4 million visas in 2023 alone, which itself is a record-breaker. This marked a 60% increase in applications compared to the previous year, highlighting the growing interest of Indians in pursuing opportunities in the United States.