There are clear signs of outbound travel from India picking up, given the fact that the US Mission to India successfully processed over 12 lakh non-immigrant (visitor) visas in 2023, reflecting a historic milestone in diplomatic relations. The US Consulate General Mumbai, which processed over 4 lakh of the total visas this year, has also a record, according to an official statement.
The US Consulate General Mumbai highlighted in a press note that it proactive measures to address visa processing challenges. To reduce the visa wait time and accommodate rising demand, the consulate organised a special Saturday dedicated to visit visa interviews, facilitating discussions with 2,023 applicants. This underscores the consulate's commitment to enhance the efficiency of the visa application process.
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Consul General Mike Hankey emphasised on the relationship between the US and India and said, "We value the enduring relationship between our two countries and work diligently to promote prosperity, inclusion, and security between the US and India. The special Saturday represents our sustained commitment to utilise innovative solutions to reduce visitor visa wait time in the years ahead."
Moreover, the US Mission to India witnessed an unprecedented issuance of student visas, reaching almost 90,000 during the summer.
This surge in student visas aligns with the broader trend of increasing educational exchanges, with the 2022-23 academic year recording a 35% growth in the number of Indian students studying in the United States.
This figure reached an all-time high, exceeding 268,000 students, notably highlighting the strong educational ties and cultural exchanges between the two nations. The accomplishments in visa processing, particularly in Mumbai, reflects the efficiency of the diplomatic mission to foster closer ties and mutual understanding between the two countries.
(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)
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