NEW DELHI: The United States mission to India has reached and surpassed its goal to process one million non-immigrant visa applications in 2023, according to a press release by the US Embassy in New Delhi.
The mission has already surpassed the total number of cases processed in 2022 and is processing almost 20% more applications than in pre-pandemic 2019. The mission has also implemented strategies to increase efficiency, extending interview waiver eligibility to new visa categories and utilising remote work to allow staff around the world to contribute to Indian visa processing.
Another important announcement in the press release, which is being followed by thousands of Indians working in the US, is about the timeline for the renewal of work permit visas – H and L in the US. Early next year, the mission plans to implement a pilot programme that would allow domestic visa renewal for qualified H&L-category employment visa applicants.
US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said, “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 US-India friendship firsthand.”
Last year, over 1.2 million Indians visited the United States, making this one of the most robust travel relationships in the world. “Indians now represent over 10% of all visa applicants worldwide, including 20% of all student visa applicants and 65% of all H&L-category (employment) visa applicants. The United States welcomes this growth,” the US Embassy press release said.
Recognising the continued high demand for US visas, America continues to invest heavily in its operations in India. In the past year, the mission has expanded its staffing to facilitate more visa processing than ever before. The mission has made significant capital improvements to existing facilities, such as the US consulate in Chennai, and has inaugurated a new consulate building in Hyderabad.
The mission has already surpassed the total number of cases processed in 2022 and is processing almost 20% more applications than in pre-pandemic 2019. The mission has also implemented strategies to increase efficiency, extending interview waiver eligibility to new visa categories and utilising remote work to allow staff around the world to contribute to Indian visa processing.
Another important announcement in the press release, which is being followed by thousands of Indians working in the US, is about the timeline for the renewal of work permit visas – H and L in the US. Early next year, the mission plans to implement a pilot programme that would allow domestic visa renewal for qualified H&L-category employment visa applicants.
US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said, “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 US-India friendship firsthand.”
Last year, over 1.2 million Indians visited the United States, making this one of the most robust travel relationships in the world. “Indians now represent over 10% of all visa applicants worldwide, including 20% of all student visa applicants and 65% of all H&L-category (employment) visa applicants. The United States welcomes this growth,” the US Embassy press release said.
Recognising the continued high demand for US visas, America continues to invest heavily in its operations in India. In the past year, the mission has expanded its staffing to facilitate more visa processing than ever before. The mission has made significant capital improvements to existing facilities, such as the US consulate in Chennai, and has inaugurated a new consulate building in Hyderabad.