US Mission to India Processing One Million Visas in 2023

In a remarkable achievement, the U.S. Mission to India has not only met but surpassed its ambitious goal of processing one million nonimmigrant visa applications in 2023. This accomplishment not only highlights the growing demand for travel to the United States but also signifies the deepening ties between the two nations.

Record-Breaking Visa Processing

The U.S. Mission to India has shattered expectations by processing an impressive one million nonimmigrant visa applications in 2023, surpassing the total number of cases handled in 2022.

Even more astonishing, the Mission is currently processing nearly 20% more applications than in the pre-pandemic year of 2019. This remarkable feat underscores the ever-increasing interest of Indian applicants in visiting the United States.

The Mission has also implemented strategies to increase efficiency, including:

• Extending interview waiver eligibility to new visa categories
• Utilizing remote work to allow staff around the world to contribute to Indian visa processing
• Implementing a pilot program that would allow domestic visa renewal for qualified H&L-category employment visa applicants

#Missionto1M accomplished! We are excited to announce that the U.S. Mission to India has reached and surpassed our goal to process one million visa applications in 2023!

We will not stop here and continue our progress in coming months, to give as many Indian applicants the… pic.twitter.com/4mTypC2wqh

— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) September 28, 2023

A Testimony of Bilateral Relations

U.S. Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, expressed his enthusiasm, emphasizing the significance of the U.S.-India partnership.

“Our partnership with India is one of the United States’ most important bilateral relationships, and in fact one of the most important relationships in the world. The ties between our people are stronger than ever, and we will continue our record-setting volume of visa work in the coming months to give as many Indian applicants as possible the opportunity to travel to the United States and experience the U.S.-India friendship firsthand.”

Robust Travel Relationship

India and the United States have witnessed a surge in travel engagement, with over 1.2 million Indians visiting the United States in the past year. This places India among the countries with the most robust travel relationships with the United States.

In a notable statistic, Indians now represent over 10% of all visa applicants worldwide, including 20% of all student visa applicants and a significant 65% of all H&L-category (employment) visa applicants.

This growth in numbers is not only welcomed but celebrated by the United States.

Investing in Efficiency

Recognizing the continued high demand for U.S. visas, the United States has demonstrated its commitment by investing heavily in its operations in India. In the past year, the U.S. Mission has expanded its staffing to facilitate more visa processing than ever before.

Notable improvements have been made to existing facilities, such as the U.S. Consulate in Chennai, and a new Consulate building has been inaugurated in Hyderabad.

In addition to these infrastructure upgrades, the Mission has implemented strategic measures to enhance efficiency. This includes extending interview waiver eligibility to new visa categories and harnessing remote work capabilities, allowing staff worldwide to contribute to the visa processing efforts.

Looking forward, the Mission plans to introduce a pilot program that will enable qualified H&L-category employment visa applicants to renew their visas domestically, further streamlining the process.

Strengthening a Close and Enduring Partnership

As emphasized in the Joint Statement issued by Prime Minister Modi and President Biden during the President’s recent visit to India, the United States and India share a “close and enduring” partnership. The achievement of improved visa processing is just one example of the U.S. Mission to India’s unwavering commitment to fortifying this vital partnership.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the U.S. Mission to India’s exceptional accomplishment of surpassing its visa processing goal for 2023 not only reflects the strong bond between the two nations but also signifies the increasing interest of Indian citizens in travelling to the United States.

This achievement is a testament to the enduring partnership between the two countries and underscores their commitment to fostering stronger ties in the future.