Easing the Wait: U.S. Boosts Visa Processing Capacity in India
The U.S. Mission to India has made significant strides in addressing the visa processing backlog by adding 250,000 visa appointments for Indian applicants, including tourists, skilled workers, and students. This expansion is already affecting wait times for visa interviews, which had previously approached or exceeded 200 days. As of early October, the average wait for F-visa interviews is now 42 days in New Delhi and 66 days in Mumbai.
So far in 2024, over 1.2 million Indians have traveled to the U.S., marking a 35% increase from the same period last year. The U.S. Mission reported that more than six million Indians currently hold non-immigrant visas, with thousands more being issued daily.
U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti highlighted the commitment of both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden to streamline the visa process, emphasizing the efforts of consular teams to meet increasing demand.
This development is particularly beneficial for Indian students, easing the backlog of study visa applicants. Advocacy groups like NAFSA are actively working to ensure that international students can secure timely appointments and are calling for improved strategies to reduce visa denials.
Overall, this move enhances the U.S.'s appeal as a study destination, especially in light of shifting policies in other countries like Canada and Australia.
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