The US mission in India is bracing itself for an unprecedented influx of student visa applications this year, with consular officers from New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai conducting interviews with nearly 3,500 applicants on Wednesday.
This surge in applications comes after a record-breaking 125,000 Indian students were issued student visas last year, surpassing the number granted to any other nationality.
Indian Students Lead in Student Visa Issuance
Brendan Mullarkey, the acting minister counsellor for consular affairs in India, highlighted the significance of India’s contribution to the US student visa program.
“Last year, one out of every five student visas issued globally was granted to Indian students, totalling 125,000 visas. This year, we are expecting to surpass that record and interview more students than ever before,” Mullarkey stated.
Seventh Annual Student Visa Day
The interviews held on Wednesday marked the seventh annual Student Visa Day, a nationwide event that commemorates the enduring higher education ties between the United States and India. The event aims to promote the benefits of studying in the US and strengthen the bilateral educational partnership.
A Significant Presence in US Academic Institutions
Currently, more than 200,000 Indian students are pursuing their education at various American academic institutions, constituting over 20% of the total international student population in the US.
To celebrate the achievements of Indian students and acknowledge their decision to study in the US, US Ambassador Eric Garcetti and consuls general from across India extended their congratulations to the visa recipients.
Reflecting on his own transformative experiences, Garcetti emphasized the pivotal role of student exchanges in fostering strong US-India relations.
“Having initially come to India as a young student, I have personally witnessed the life-changing impact of these experiences,” Garcetti shared.
“Student exchange lies at the core of US-India relations, as a US education offers world-class learning opportunities and access to a global knowledge network, paving the way for a lifetime of understanding,” he further added.
EducationUSA: A Resource for Aspiring Indian Students
To facilitate the process for students interested in pursuing education in the United States, the US mission encouraged them to reach out to EducationUSA, a government-sponsored advising service that provides comprehensive and reliable information on admissions and visa procedures.
EducationUSA represents accredited US colleges and universities and operates eight advising centres throughout India. For more details, students can visit educationusa.state.gov or follow @educationUSAIndia on Facebook and Instagram.
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