• The US Embassy and Consulates in India notably broke its all-time record for the number of student visas issued in a fiscal year
The US Embassy and Consulates in India said that they have issued a record number of visas to Indian students in 2022. State Department spokesman Ned Price said the US issued more student visas in fiscal year 2022 than in any year since 2016. Price said the US Embassy and Consulates in India notably broke its all-time record for the number of student visas issued in a fiscal year.
“We issued approximately 1,25,000 student visas. We recognize that some applicants may still face extended visa wait times, and we are working to reduce visa interview appointment wait times in India and around the world as quickly as possible. We are doing everything possible, including for first-time tourist visa applicants," he said.
According to the US official, he has doubled the recruitment of US foreign and service personnel and said that visa processing is going to improve rapidly in the coming years. He said the US is making every effort to reduce the wait time for a visa interview appointment in India as quickly as possible.
Responding to a question, Price said he certainly understands the frustration of those who have long wait times. “I can tell you that it is a priority of the Secretary and the Department to do everything we can to reduce that backlog and ultimately reduce wait times. Committed to protecting." he said.
“And we know that timely visa processing is essential to the U.S. economy and to the administration’s goal of family reunification. We have made great progress in recovering from pandemic-related detention and workforce challenges, but we still need to respond to working for." significant demand for visa services," he said.
Price said demand for visa services has only increased as countries around the world ease pandemic restrictions and people look for opportunities to travel to the United States.
Earlier, a senior US embassy official in November 2022 had said that India would overtake China in the number of visas received by 2023 and come second in issuing visas after Mexico.
"We expect India to overtake China in the number of US visas by the summer of next year," a senior US embassy official said in New Delhi. After Mexico, India is expected to be No. 2 in issuing US visas. "
The US has opened 100,000 slots for applicants for H and L worker visas. This has already happened which will reduce the waiting time.
"Right now, India is the number one priority for Washington. We have large categories of students, high-tech workers, tourists and business," the official said.
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