1. In 2023, the United States set a record by issuing 1.4 million visas in India, the highest ever recorded.
2. A notable achievement accompanied by a 75% reduction in wait times for visitor visa appointments.
3. The success is attributed to increased staff, innovative approaches, and enhanced efficiency measures implemented by the US embassy and consulates in India.
New Delhi, Jan 29: The United States achieved a record-breaking milestone in visa issuance in India during 2023, processing a total of 1.4 million visas, marking the highest figure ever recorded.
This significant accomplishment was accompanied by a remarkable 75% reduction in the wait time for visitor visa appointments, attributed to a combination of increased staff, innovative approaches, and enhanced efficiency measures implemented by the US embassy and consulates in India.
Indians now constitute one-tenth of all global US visa applicants, and the demand for various visa categories witnessed an “unprecedented” surge in 2023, with a notable 60% increase in applications compared to the previous year, as highlighted in a statement from the US embassy.
Also Read: BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari Faces Backlash for Obscene Remark Against Rahul Gandhi
Visitor visas, specifically B1 and B2 visas, emerged as the second-highest category of applications, totalling over 700,000.
To meet this heightened demand, the US missions undertook a three-month staffing surge in Mumbai, bolstered permanent staff levels, and employed innovative technological solutions.
These strategic measures resulted in a substantial reduction in the average wait time for visitor visas, dropping from 1,000 days to just 250 days across India.
Other visa categories experienced minimal wait times due to these improvements and investments.
In 2023, the US missions in India achieved another milestone by issuing more than 140,000 student visas, making India the leading country for US student visas for the third consecutive year. Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, and Chennai now stand as the top four student visa processing posts globally.
Employment visas continued to be a top priority, with the US consular team consolidating petition-based visa processing in Chennai and Hyderabad, resulting in the efficient processing of over 380,000 employment visas for Indians and their families.
This streamlined approach also maintained a minimal appointment wait time for employment visas.
Looking ahead to 2024, a pilot program is set to streamline the visa renewal process for eligible H1B holders in the US.
The US consulate general in Mumbai successfully addressed a backlog of over 31,000 immigrant visa cases delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling prompt scheduling for those ready for immigrant visa appointments.
The commitment to improving consular services in India remains steadfast, with ongoing investments, including the inauguration of a new $340-million facility in Hyderabad in March 2023, plans for two new consulates in Ahmedabad and Bangalore, continued facility enhancements nationwide, and the permanent assignment of additional consular officers to India.
The US will persist in exploring avenues to provide more efficient and convenient consular services in the future.
