The US Mission to India has announced that it issued over one million non-immigrant visas to Indian citizens for the second consecutive year in 2024. This includes a record number of visitor visas, reflecting a significant surge in travel demand for tourism, business, and education.
Non-immigrant visas enable temporary visits to the US for various purposes, such as tourism, business, medical treatment, and specialized work. Over two million Indians traveled to the US in the first eleven months of 2024, a 26% increase compared to the previous year.
The mission also highlighted the completion of a pilot program allowing H-1B visa holders to renew their visas within the US, avoiding the need to travel abroad. This initiative is expected to evolve into a formal US-based renewal program by 2025, streamlining the process for skilled workers.
India has also emerged as the leading contributor to international students in the US, with over 3,31,000 Indian students enrolled in 2024. Furthermore, nearly 2,00,000 Indian graduates were recorded, marking India as the top source of international graduates for the second consecutive year.
These developments underscore the strengthening ties between India and the US, particularly in education, tourism, and specialized employment sectors.
