US Issues Record Visas to Indians, Strengthens Bilateral Ties

The US mission in India announced on Friday that it has issued over one million nonimmigrant visas for the second consecutive year, including a record number of visitor visas. This milestone underscores the growing demand among Indians for travel to the United States for tourism, business, and education.

Visitor numbers from India have surged significantly, with over two million Indians traveling to the US in the first 11 months of 2024—a 26% increase compared to the same period in 2023. The US mission reported that more than five million Indians currently hold nonimmigrant visas, and thousands more are issued daily.

A significant development in visa processing is the planned establishment of a US-based H-1B visa renewal program in 2025, following a successful pilot program earlier this year. This initiative will allow many specialty occupation workers from India to renew their visas without leaving the US, streamlining the process for thousands of applicants.

The mission also issued tens of thousands of immigrant visas, facilitating family reunifications and enabling skilled professionals to migrate. These immigrants become permanent residents upon arrival, contributing to the vibrant Indian diaspora in the United States.

In addition to visas, the US mission in India provided more than 24,000 passports and consular services to American citizens living and traveling in India. A revamped Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), introduced in 2024, has enhanced communication and emergency support for US citizens in India.

Efforts to improve visa processing included increased handling of interview waiver-eligible nonimmigrant applications, significantly reducing wait times. By reallocating global consular resources, the mission has also expedited in-person interviews for applicants.

Indian students have also made their mark in the US, with over 331,000 students studying there in 2024. India became the top sender of international students for the first time since 2008/2009, with a 19% increase in graduate student numbers, reaching nearly 200,000.

The removal of India from the Exchange Visitors Skills List has offered greater flexibility for J-1 visa holders, allowing many to stay in the

US for career and education advancement without returning home for two years after program completion.The US mission highlighted these achievements as a testament to the dedication of its staff and the strong bilateral ties between the United States and India.