US Ambassador Eric Garcetti announced significant measures to expedite visa issuance from India by expanding workforce capacity and opening additional consulates.
His announcement during an interactive session at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) revealed plans for new consulates in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad, with the latter already undergoing establishment.
This initiative aims to tackle the surge in visa applications causing delays, mirroring similar issues faced by other nations like Brazil and Mexico.
The recent inauguration of a consulate in Hyderabad is part of the proactive measures taken to boost visa services. Plans for premises in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad are underway, with heightened staff recruitment to accommodate the increasing demand for visa processing.
The US Embassy in India highlighted a notable surge in visa applications, resulting in the highest number of visa processes in 2023 compared to previous years. This uptick has led to a backlog in visa grants, impacting the timely processing of applications.
Ambassador Garcetti emphasized that the influx of visa applications has led to delays in visa approvals, a situation not unique to India but also experienced by major countries like Brazil and Mexico.
The surge follows the record-breaking issuance of 90,000 student visas during July and August, with a significant proportion granted to Indian applicants.
Efforts to streamline the visa application process between India and the US have been ongoing. Notably, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US, an announcement regarding 'in-country' renewable H-1B visas for Indian professionals marked a significant stride.
This initiative aims to eliminate the need for Indian professionals to leave the US for H-1B visa renewals, simplifying and expediting the process.
Ambassador Garcetti revealed the goal to process at least one million visas in 2023, reflecting the commitment to address the backlog and expedite visa issuance for various purposes, including tourism, work, and education.
The concerted efforts by the US Embassy to augment visa services through workforce expansion and consulate openings reflect a commitment to address the backlog and streamline the visa application process.
With proactive steps to meet the surge in demand, coupled with initiatives to simplify visa renewals for Indian professionals, the US aims to alleviate delays and expedite the issuance of visas, fostering stronger people-to-people ties between India and the United States.
The US is expanding its workforce and opening additional consulates, notably in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and potentially Bengaluru. This initiative aims to accommodate the surging demand for visas and expedite processing times.
The Embassy processed a record number of visa applications in 2023, surpassing previous years. The recent surge amounts to a one-third increase in issued visas, with expectations of a 10 to 15 percent rise this calendar year.
The delay in visa issuance is attributed to the substantial surge in visa applications, a trend experienced not only by the US but also by other major nations like Brazil and Mexico.
Notably, the US granted a record-breaking 90,000 student visas in July and August, with approximately one in four global student visas issued to Indian applicants during this period.
As part of the people-to-people initiative, 'in-country' renewable H-1B visas have been introduced. This eliminates the necessity for Indian professionals to leave the US for H-1B visa renewals, simplifying the renewal process.
