US Opens Doors: A Whopping 1,40,000 Visas Granted to Indian Students Last Year!

New Delhi: As part of the Biden administration’s commitment to strengthen people-to-people ties with India, the United States issued over 140,000 visas to Indian students last year and is actively taking measures to reduce the wait time for visa appointments. Julie Stufft, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Visa Services, highlighted the significant efforts made by US missions in India, including working six to seven days a week to ensure timely interviews for students before the commencement of their classes.

This year, the US focused extensively on the demand emerging from India, setting a historic goal of issuing one million visas in the country, which was achieved several months ahead of schedule. Julie Stufft expressed pride in this achievement and emphasized that the numbers would surpass the initial goal. She noted record-setting figures for workers, crew members, and students applying from India, with the country now being the largest source of foreign students in the United States.

Specifically addressing Indian students, Stufft mentioned that interview waivers were granted in many cases, streamlining the process for those who had previously traveled to the US. In the previous year, the US issued a record-breaking 140,000 visas to Indian students, underlining the importance placed on facilitating Indian students’ journeys to the US.

Acknowledging that the visa appointment wait time in India is still somewhat high, Stufft outlined ongoing efforts to address this issue. The US is deploying a significant number of officers to India to manage wait times, and while improvements have been made, further reductions are expected.

Julie Stufft highlighted the commitment of the Biden administration to strengthen people-to-people ties between the US and India. She indicated that innovations and a quicker visa processing system are expected in the future to enhance the overall experience for travelers between the two countries.

In addition to students, the US is actively working to reduce wait times for business-related visas. Emphasizing India’s uniqueness due to its high demand across various visa categories, Stufft underscored the priority of decreasing wait times for all types of visas.

The State Department official encouraged individuals interested in traveling to the US for any reason to apply as early as possible. She recognized India’s exceptional demand for various visa categories and reiterated the commitment to prioritize reducing wait times across the board.

During a media round table, Julie Stufft provided insights into the broader context, stating that the US has issued over 10.5 million visas in 2023 so far, surpassing expectations by 2 million. Record-setting adjudications were achieved in multiple categories, including work visas and student visas. Looking ahead to 2024, the focus remains on further reducing wait times, especially for first-time visitor interviews, indicating sustained efforts to meet the high demand in specific locations.