An Indian-American member of the Presidential Commission for Asian-Americans has applauded the release of 250,000 additional visa appointments by the US Mission in India. These new slots will benefit tourists, skilled workers, and students, helping Indian applicants secure timely visa interviews, which play a vital role in strengthening US-India people-to-people ties.
Ajay Bhutoria, a member of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian-Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, expressed his gratitude for the US Embassy’s efforts, particularly those of Ambassador Eric Garcetti, in addressing visa wait times. Bhutoria mentioned that this step reflects the success of his earlier recommendations submitted to the White House AANHPI commission. However, he noted that more work needs to be done to further streamline the visa process.
Bhutoria has been advocating for measures like increasing the number of appointments and exploring innovative solutions, including video interviews, to enhance accessibility and efficiency. He emphasized his ongoing commitment to improving the visa process to ensure smoother travel between the two countries.
The US Embassy in India reported a 35% rise in Indian travelers to the US in 2024, with over 1.2 million visits so far. Ambassador Garcetti highlighted that the promise made by Prime Minister Modi and President Biden to improve the visa process has been met. In 2023, the US also issued a record 140,000 student visas to Indians, marking the third consecutive year of setting new records.
