US to issue 2.5 lakh additional visas to Indians: Modi-Biden talks yield results

NEW DELHI: In a significant move, the United States has announced the issuance of over 250,000 additional visas to Indian nationals, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the US. US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said that these visa appointments will be given to visitors, skilled workers, and students. Consulate circles have said that steps have been initiated for the visa appointments. This is a solution to India's persistent demand to speed up visa procedures.

The new decision will bring relief in the matter of delay in getting appointments for US visitor visas. The US Mission in India has already processed over 10 lakh non-immigrant visa applications for the second consecutive year. So far this year, 12 lakh Indians have travelled to the US, marking a 35% increase from the same period in 2023. This year also saw a record number of student visas.

Prime Minister Modi reached the US on September 21 to attend the Quad summit and the UN's Summit of the Future. During his visit, Modi and President Joe Biden discussed easing visa procedures as part of their bilateral talks. The US has consulates in several Indian cities, including Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata.

Post-Covid, there were significant restrictions on granting visa appointments, affecting those applying for visitor visas. Currently, visa applicants face delays of over six months for appointments. India had raised the issue several times in bilateral talks. However, Modi's visit to the US this time accelerated things.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden set an ambitious goal to improve and expedite the visa process, and I’m proud to say we’ve delivered on that promise. Our consular teams work tirelessly to meet the surging demand,” Eric Garcetti said.

• Indian visas considered by the US Embassy in 2023-14 lakhs
• Indian origins in the US – 51,60,203 (1.47% of the population (figures from 2023)

Student visas
2021-96,000
2022-1,33,000
2023-1,40,000

Foreign students studying in the US (figures from 2022-2023)
China- 2,89,526
India-2,68,923
Korea - 43,847
Canada - 27,876
Vietnam - 21,900