Over 1 million nonimmigrant visas issued to Indians for 2nd year: US embassy
Top News
1 week, 6 days ago

Over 1 million nonimmigrant visas issued to Indians for 2nd year: US embassy

India Today  

The US mission in India on Friday said it issued more than one million non-immigrant visas for the second year in a row, including a record number of visitor visas, underscoring the huge demand of Indians for travel to the US. Over five million Indians already have a non-immigrant visa to visit the US and each day the mission issues thousands more, the embassy said. "The US mission to India issued more than one million non-immigrant visas for the second year in a row, including a record number of visitor visas, underscoring the huge demand of Indians for travel to the United States for tourism, business, and education," it said in a readout. In 2024, India became the top sender of international students for the first time since the 2008/2009 academic year with more than 331,000 students overall studying in the US," it said.

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History of this topic

Indian tech firms in US secure 20% of H-1B visas in 2024, Infosys leads
2 days, 12 hours ago

Indian tech firms in US secure 20% of H-1B visas in 2024, Infosys leads

India Today  

Indian tech companies secured nearly 20% of all H-1B visas issued by the United States in 2024, according to data from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. Out of 1.3 lakh H-1B visas granted to various employers during the April-September period, Indian companies were issued 24,766 visas. Other major Indian IT firms also featured prominently, with Wipro obtaining 1,634 visas …

India stresses skilled professionals' role in ties with US amid H-1B visa scrutiny
6 days, 12 hours ago

India stresses skilled professionals' role in ties with US amid H-1B visa scrutiny

India Today  

In a recent statement, the Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, emphasised the importance of the India-US economic partnership, highlighting the crucial role of skilled professionals in driving growth and innovation. Jaiswal's comments come at a time when the H-1B visa programme, which allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations, is under scrutiny. While Trump's campaign …

US issued over 10 lakh nonimmigrant visas to Indians in 2024, highest number of student visas for second year
1 week ago

US issued over 10 lakh nonimmigrant visas to Indians in 2024, highest number of student visas for second year

Live Mint  

Over 1 million nonimmigrant visas were issued to Indian in 2024, including a record number of visitor visas, US mission in India revealed last week. "The US mission to India issued more than one million nonimmigrant visas for the second year in a row, including a record number of visitor visas, underscoring the huge demand of Indians for travel to …

Mint Primer: How H-1B visas got caught in the MAGA debate
1 week, 3 days ago

Mint Primer: How H-1B visas got caught in the MAGA debate

Live Mint  

It allows companies to hire foreign workers for specialized roles in the US. America’s tech industry heavily relies on engineers and professionals from countries like India, with over 70% of H-1B visa holders being Indian, highlighting their role in the US tech economy. The American Immigration Council notes that H-1B workers’ economic contributions may boost job opportunities for native-born workers …

H1-B debate heats up: Why the US work permit is crucial for Indians amid Musk, Trump, and MAGA clash
1 week, 3 days ago

H1-B debate heats up: Why the US work permit is crucial for Indians amid Musk, Trump, and MAGA clash

Live Mint  

Amid the public debate over the use of the H-1B visa, President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday said, ‘he fully backs the program for foreign tech workers opposed by some of his supporters’. The comment comes billionaire tech CEO Elon Musk, in a series a X posts, vowed late Friday to go to "war" to defend the visa program for foreign …

Issued over 1 million nonimmigrant visas to Indians for 2nd year: US embassy
Trending News
1 week, 5 days ago

Issued over 1 million nonimmigrant visas to Indians for 2nd year: US embassy

Deccan Chronicle  

The US mission in India on Friday said it issued more than one million nonimmigrant visas for the second year in a row, including a record number of visitor visas, underscoring the huge demand of Indians for travel to the US.Washington is also working to formally establish a US-based to renew H-1B visas in that country in 2025 that is …

US Mission to India issues over one million non-immigrant visas for second consecutive year
1 week, 5 days ago

US Mission to India issues over one million non-immigrant visas for second consecutive year

Op India  

The US has issued over one million non-immigrant visas to Indians for the second year in a row, including a record number of visitor visas, showcasing the huge demand for travelling to the US for tourism, business and education. In the past four years, visitor numbers from India have increased by five times and over two million Indians travelled to …

H-1B visa reforms looming: What is annual cap, and how will it impact Indian professionals?
1 week, 6 days ago

H-1B visa reforms looming: What is annual cap, and how will it impact Indian professionals?

Hindustan Times  

President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Indian-American venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan as the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy's senior policy advisor for artificial intelligence. Krishnan’s appointment comes as the US administration, current US administration is likely to take a bill that seeks to overturn the country cap for H-1B visas and alter the prospects of highly skilled people …

New US visa appointment rules to cut wait time, bring relief for Indians in 2025
3 weeks ago

New US visa appointment rules to cut wait time, bring relief for Indians in 2025

India Today  

The New Year will bring relief for Indians seeking to work and travel in the US. Starting January 1, 2025, the US Embassy in India will introduce new regulations for scheduling and rescheduling non-immigrant visa appointments to streamline the process and reduce wait times. This announcement comes just a day after the Department of Homeland Security revealed new rules to …

US announces H-1B visa overhaul to fill jobs faster; Indians likely to benefit most
3 weeks, 1 day ago

US announces H-1B visa overhaul to fill jobs faster; Indians likely to benefit most

India Today  

In what would cheer hundreds of thousands of Indians, the Department of Homeland Security has announced a final rule to modernise the H-1B visa programme, enabling US companies to fill critical job vacancies more effectively. The new rule also permits quicker processing for individuals previously approved for an H-1B visa and extends eligibility to beneficiaries with a controlling interest in …

US Consulates to Hold ‘Super Saturday’ Visa Interviews
1 month ago

US Consulates to Hold ‘Super Saturday’ Visa Interviews

Deccan Chronicle  

The ‘Super Saturday’ initiative aims to maximise resources and conduct the highest number of visa interviews in a single day.This marks the fourth “Super Saturday” since the US Mission in India introduced the feature in January last as part of efforts to reduce wait times for first-time visa applicants. The programme is part of a broader strategy to meet the …

HT Exclusive: Indian-American Visa expert shares immigration tips and tricks for Indian students in the US
3 months, 1 week ago

HT Exclusive: Indian-American Visa expert shares immigration tips and tricks for Indian students in the US

Hindustan Times  

Leaving India behind, thousands of students embark on a journey to the United States, fueled by ambition and hope. Essential guide to US Immigration for existing and aspiring Indian students During this time, students must secure an H-1B visa, a work visa that allows them to stay employed in the US. Instead, the system relies on an annual lottery, randomly …

Despite US EB-5 visa issuance surge in FY24 so far, Indian applicants witnessed a 22% productivity decline
6 months ago

Despite US EB-5 visa issuance surge in FY24 so far, Indian applicants witnessed a 22% productivity decline

Hindustan Times  

The US EB-5 program has been a highly sought-after gateway to American Green Cards for many, including Indian applicants. According to the Department of State's data, 512 EB-5 visas were issued to Indian applicants in FY24 so far, which accounted for a 22% productivity decline. EB-5 visa issuance numbers for Indian applicants According to the Department of State’s data, 7,173 …

US envoy joins consular team to interview Indian visa applicants
9 months, 4 weeks ago

US envoy joins consular team to interview Indian visa applicants

Firstpost  

He further stressed that the US Mission in India has increased staffing and harnessed technological innovations to meet the unprecedented demand and process more visas than ever before The US envoy arrived to support the embassy team for the first of four "Super Saturday" visa processing events held by the US Embassy in New Delhi in 2024 Image Courtesy AP …

India, US discuss extradition, mobility of students and professionals
10 months, 2 weeks ago

India, US discuss extradition, mobility of students and professionals

Hindustan Times  

India and the US on Friday discussed ways to bolster cooperation on extradition, mobility of students and professionals, and safe and legal migration during their bilateral consular dialogue. The US Issued more than one million visas to Indians in 2023 and currently hosts 270,000 Indian students. The 11th round of the consular dialogue held in New Delhi also focused on …

US working to reduce visitor visa wait time for Indians after decrease of 75%
10 months, 2 weeks ago

US working to reduce visitor visa wait time for Indians after decrease of 75%

Hindustan Times  

The United States is working towards further reducing the wait time for visitor visas for Indians following a decrease of 75 per cent last year, according to US Bureau of Consular Affairs Assistant Secretary Rena Bitter. US working to reduce visitor visa wait time for Indians after decrease of 75% In an interview with PTI, Bitter noted that today more …

US working to reduce visitor visa wait time for Indians: Top official
10 months, 2 weeks ago

US working to reduce visitor visa wait time for Indians: Top official

India Today  

The United States is working towards further reducing the wait time for visitor visas for Indians following a decrease of 75 per cent last year, according to US Bureau of Consular Affairs Assistant Secretary Rena Bitter. “Last year, the Embassy in India processed 1.4 million visas, explosion of an incredible numberâ€æin every category there is no wait time at all …

US hikes visa fees for H-1B, other categories
11 months, 1 week ago

US hikes visa fees for H-1B, other categories

Hindustan Times  

Washington : The US has announced a steep increase in fees for various categories of non-immigrant visas like the H-1B, L-1 and EB-5, the most popular among Indians. The US has announced a steep increase in fees for various categories of non-immigrant visas like the H-1B, L-1 and EB-5, the most popular among Indians. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant …

US announces overhaul of its annual lottery for H-1B visas
11 months, 1 week ago

US announces overhaul of its annual lottery for H-1B visas

Hindustan Times  

Washington : The US has announced a major overhaul of its annual lottery for the H-1B speciality occupation visas, popular among Indian IT professionals, to curtail the potential for fraud and improve and streamline the registration system. The US has announced a major overhaul of its annual lottery for the H-1B speciality occupation visas, popular among Indian IT professionals, to …

US launches fresh 5-week selection criteria for H-1B visa
11 months, 1 week ago

US launches fresh 5-week selection criteria for H-1B visa

India Today  

The US has formally launched a pilot programme to renew the much sought-after H-1B foreign work visas domestically, a move that is likely to benefit thousands of Indian tech professionals. In a statement on Monday, the State Department said the pilot programme will accept applications from January 29, 2024, through April 1, 2024, or when all application slots are filled, …

U.S. kick-starts five-week H-1B visas renewal drive, to accept 20,000 applications
11 months, 1 week ago

U.S. kick-starts five-week H-1B visas renewal drive, to accept 20,000 applications

The Hindu  

H-1B workers, including Indian nationals, can begin applying to renew their visas without leaving the U.S., marking a significant change after nearly two decades. The announcement by the U.S. Department of State on the pilot programme for in-country renewal of certain petition-based temporary work visas, including for Indian nationals, was made in June 2023, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit …

Hyderabad makes history as U.S. smashes visa records in India
11 months, 1 week ago

Hyderabad makes history as U.S. smashes visa records in India

The Hindu  

Hyderabad emerged as one of the top four student visa processing posts in the world, along with Mumbai, New Delhi, and Chennai, while the U.S. Consular Team in India has set unprecedented visa records in 2023. Hyderabad played a pivotal role in this surge, contributing significantly to India’s representation, with one in every 10 U.S. visa applicants originating from the …

One out of every 10 U.S. visa seekers in the world is Indian: U.S. Embassy
11 months, 1 week ago

One out of every 10 U.S. visa seekers in the world is Indian: U.S. Embassy

The Hindu  

Indians represent one out of every 10 U.S. visa seekers in the world, the U.S. Embassy said in New Delhi on January 29. A press note from the U.S. mission informed that the U.S. consular team in India processed a “record-smashing 1.4 million U.S. visas” during 2023. The official statement from the U.S. side said employment visas remain “top priority” …

H-1B visa pilot program to open for only Indians and Canadians from Jan 24: Key points to note
1 year ago

H-1B visa pilot program to open for only Indians and Canadians from Jan 24: Key points to note

Hindustan Times  

In a significant move for Indian H-1B visa holders, the U.S. Department has reinstated the domestic renewal of non-diplomatic nonimmigrant visas, a process discontinued since 2004. H-1B visa pilot program: Eligibility and application process dates The pilot has been limited only Indian and Canadian H-1B principal applicants and to those firms whose H-1B employees may need to travel abroad for …

H-1B Visa Renewal Pilot Programme: Eligibility Criteria and Application Details Are Out
1 year ago

H-1B Visa Renewal Pilot Programme: Eligibility Criteria and Application Details Are Out

News 18  

The United States has announced the limits and procedures for its much-anticipated pilot programme to renew H-1B nonimmigrant visas. “The Department is limiting the scope of the pilot to applicants who were previously issued visas within specified dates by Missions Canada or India to properly assess the performance and capabilities of contractors who manage the majority of the Department’s worldwide …

US issues 140,000 visas to Indian students: Why it is the destination of choice
1 year, 1 month ago

US issues 140,000 visas to Indian students: Why it is the destination of choice

Firstpost  

More than a third of the 1.3 million Indian students who went abroad for higher education in the last academic year chose the US. So, the number will go way beyond that.” “There are record-setting numbers this year for workers, crew members and students applying in India to come to the United States,” she added. Let’s take a closer look: …

US issued record 140K visas to Indian students last year: Official
1 year, 1 month ago

US issued record 140K visas to Indian students last year: Official

The Hindu  

As part of the Biden administration's endeavour to promote people-to-people ties with India, the US issued more than 1,40,000 visas to Indian students last year and is taking several steps to reduce visa appointment wait period. In an interview to PTI, Julie Stufft, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Visa Services, said US missions in India worked six, seven days …

US issued record-breaking 1,40,000 visas to Indian students last year: Official
1 year, 1 month ago

US issued record-breaking 1,40,000 visas to Indian students last year: Official

Hindustan Times  

As part of the Biden administration's endeavour to promote people-to-people ties with India, the US issued more than 1,40,000 visas to Indian students last year and is taking several steps to reduce visa appointment wait period. Last year, the US issued a record over 1,40,000 visas to Indian students, she said. The US, Stufft said, is working on taking several …

Indians now represent over 10% of US visa applicants with one million non-immigrant visas processed in 2023
1 year, 3 months ago

Indians now represent over 10% of US visa applicants with one million non-immigrant visas processed in 2023

Hindustan Times  

The US Mission in India on Thursday surpassed its goal of processing one million non-immigrant visa applications this year and said that Indians now represent over 10 per cent of all visa applicants worldwide, including 20 per cent of all student visa applicants and 65 per cent of all H&L-category visa applicants. The number of visa applications processed in India …

US Ambassador Eric Garcetti hands over passport to one millionth visa holder in Delhi. Watch
1 year, 3 months ago

US Ambassador Eric Garcetti hands over passport to one millionth visa holder in Delhi. Watch

Hindustan Times  

The United States Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Thursday handed over the passport to the one millionth visa holder and her spouse in Delhi. While handing over the passport, Garcetti said, “… this year we are so proud… we have processed over 1 million visa applications.” US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti hands over passport to the one millionth …

US Mission to India processes 1 million visas, now Indians made over 1 in 10 visa applications worldwide
1 year, 3 months ago

US Mission to India processes 1 million visas, now Indians made over 1 in 10 visa applications worldwide

India TV News  

The US Mission to India has processed a record number of nonimmigrant visa applications until September 28, Thursday-- almost 20% more applications than in pre-pandemic 2019. PM Modi's state visit to the US impact on visa Besides, the statement said that the US Mission has also implemented strategies to increase efficiency, extending interview waiver eligibility to new visa categories and …

Indian-American GOP Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy Aims to End H-1B Visa, Labels it 'Servitude'
1 year, 3 months ago

Indian-American GOP Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy Aims to End H-1B Visa, Labels it 'Servitude'

News 18  

Calling the H-1B visa programme “indentured servitude”, Indian-American Republican presidential aspirant Vivek Ramaswamy has vowed to gut the lottery-based system and replace it with meritocratic admission if he wins the race to the White House in 2024. From 2018 through 2023, US Citizenship and Immigration Services approved 29 applications for Ramaswamy’s former company, Roivant Sciences, to hire employees under H-1B …

US visa interview wait time cut by 50% in India
1 year, 6 months ago

US visa interview wait time cut by 50% in India

Live Mint  

The wait time for first-time tourist visa interviews in the United States has been reduced by over 50%, United States Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said on Wednesday. "Our investments have brought real results, and we've seen wait times for first-time tourist visa interviews fall by more than 50 per cent," he added. Garcetti stressed the importance of expanding visa …

PM Modi says H1B visa can be renewed in US itself
1 year, 6 months ago

PM Modi says H1B visa can be renewed in US itself

Firstpost  

The United States authorities announced that they will introduce ‘in-country’ renewable H-1B visas as part of the people-to-people initiative to smoothen the process of H-1B visa renewal for several Indians who are working in the US on a H-1B visa. “The leaders welcomed an announcement by the U.S. Department of State that it would launch a pilot to adjudicate domestic …

PM Modi announces big changes in US visa rules for Indian professionals
1 year, 6 months ago

PM Modi announces big changes in US visa rules for Indian professionals

Live Mint  

Bringing good news for US visa aspirants, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday informed that two new American consulates will be opened in India - Bengaluru and Ahmedabad Also highlighting the major changes the US government in planning to introduce to ease work visa rules, PM Modi said that Indian immigrants will no longer be required to visit their home …

Easier work visas after Modi's US visit? Indians always had lion's share of H-1B
1 year, 6 months ago

Easier work visas after Modi's US visit? Indians always had lion's share of H-1B

India Today  

The Joe Biden administration in the US has made it easier for Indians to live and work in the country in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s State visit. In 2013, the US approved around 2.86 lakh H-1B visas, of which more than 1.87 lakh went to Indians — a 65.3 per cent approval rate. Then, in FY 2020, …

US to ease H-1B visas for skilled Indian workers as Modi visits
1 year, 6 months ago

US to ease H-1B visas for skilled Indian workers as Modi visits

Deccan Chronicle  

WASHINGTON: The Biden administration will make it easier for Indians to live and work in the United States, using this week's state visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help some skilled workers enter or remain in the country, according to three people familiar with the matter. The State Department could announce as soon as Thursday that a small number …

H1B visa rules change? US to ease norms during PM Modi's visit
1 year, 6 months ago

H1B visa rules change? US to ease norms during PM Modi's visit

Hindustan Times  

The Biden administration will make it easier for Indians to live and work in the United States, using this week's state visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help some skilled workers enter or remain in the country, according to three people familiar with the matter. File photo of a US visa The State Department could announce as soon as …

US to Ease H-1B Visa Rules for Skilled Indian Workers as PM Modi Visits. Check Details
1 year, 6 months ago

US to Ease H-1B Visa Rules for Skilled Indian Workers as PM Modi Visits. Check Details

News 18  

At a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on the state visit to the United States, the Joe Biden administration is expected to make it easier for Indians to live and work in the United States. The US State Department is expected to announce that a small number of Indians and other foreign workers on H-1B visas will be …

U.S. to ease visas for skilled Indian workers as PM Modi visits
1 year, 6 months ago

U.S. to ease visas for skilled Indian workers as PM Modi visits

The Hindu  

The Biden administration will make it easier for Indians to live and work in the United States, using this week's state visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help some skilled workers enter or remain in the country, according to three people familiar with the matter. The State Department could announce as soon as Thursday that a small number of …

US to ease H-1B visa rules for skilled Indian workers | All you need to know
1 year, 6 months ago

US to ease H-1B visa rules for skilled Indian workers | All you need to know

India Today  

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States, the Biden administration is preparing to facilitate the residence and employment of Indians in the country. Under the new regulations, a select group of Indian and other foreign workers on H-1B visas will be able to renew their visas within the United States, eliminating the need to travel abroad. According …

US making 'huge push' to process visas in India
1 year, 6 months ago

US making 'huge push' to process visas in India

Hindustan Times  

The consular teams of the US have been making a "huge push" to process as many visa applications as possible in India, US Department of State official spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a press briefing on Thursday. Asked about what India can expect from the US with regard to diplomacy, immigration and visa issues during PM Narendra Modi's upcoming visit, …

Big US immigration update provides cheer for H-1B and L-1 visa holders amid cloud of uncertainty and job less
1 year, 6 months ago

Big US immigration update provides cheer for H-1B and L-1 visa holders amid cloud of uncertainty and job less

Hindustan Times  

There is a glimmer of hope for Indian immigrants living in United States amidst the cloud of uncertainty after recent layoffs across big tech firms. Citizenship and Immigration Services has rolled out a new policy, PA-2023-18, that unveils a new blueprint providing guidance on Employment Authorization Documents in the face of pressing circumstances. The policy will be particularly benefiting the …

We will adjudicate 1 million visas in India this year, says U.S. official
1 year, 7 months ago

We will adjudicate 1 million visas in India this year, says U.S. official

The Hindu  

Describing India as an important partner with whom the United States enjoyed strong people-to-people ties, top U.S. lawmakers have urged the Biden administration to address the visa waiting-period issue in the country on a priority basis. Senator Bob Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; and Congressman Michael Waltz, Co-Chair of the House India Caucus, during two separate Congressional …

In 2022, one out of every five U.S. student visas was for India: U.S. envoy
1 year, 7 months ago

In 2022, one out of every five U.S. student visas was for India: U.S. envoy

The Hindu  

Out of every five student visas that were issued by the United States in 2022, one was for an Indian student, Eric Garcetti, the U.S. For one out of every five U.S. student visas issued, it was issued to an Indian student. The U.S. Mission said it was on track to process over one million visa applications in 2023, and …

US Mission in India Hosts Annual Student Visa Day, Gears Up for Record Number Applications
1 year, 7 months ago

US Mission in India Hosts Annual Student Visa Day, Gears Up for Record Number Applications

News 18  

US ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Wednesday along with consuls general throughout India congratulated visa recipients as they prepare to join Indian students studying in the US. The US mission in India held the seventh annual student visa day countrywide and consular officers from New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai interviewed almost 3,500 Indian student visa applicants, according …

US mission gears up for record Indian student visa applications
1 year, 7 months ago

US mission gears up for record Indian student visa applications

Hindustan Times  

The US mission in India is gearing up for a record number of student visa applications in 2023, with consular officers from New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai interviewing early 3,500 applicants on Wednesday. In fact, one out of every five student visas was issued in India last year,” said Brendan Mullarkey, the acting minister counsellor for consular affairs …

Indians Continue to Dominate US H-1B Approvals with 72.6% of Total Visas Granted, Chinese Follow at 12.5%
1 year, 7 months ago

Indians Continue to Dominate US H-1B Approvals with 72.6% of Total Visas Granted, Chinese Follow at 12.5%

News 18  

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services allotted 72.6% or 3.20 lakh out of the total 4.41 lakh total H-1B visa applications to Indians in the fiscal year 2022, the Times of India reported. These visa approvals also include H-1B visas for initial employment as well as visa extensions, the Times of India said in its report. The Times of …

We are opening next batch of student visas in two weeks: US Envoy
1 year, 7 months ago

We are opening next batch of student visas in two weeks: US Envoy

Live Mint  

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said on Monday that in the next couple of weeks, US Embassy in India will open up the next batch of student visas and the embassy is also assigning workers to focus on it as much as they can. The President has told me to reduce visa issuance time not just for students but …

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