US To Open Interview Schedule For Indian Students In June Says John Ballard, US Consular Chief
1 year, 7 months ago

US To Open Interview Schedule For Indian Students In June Says John Ballard, US Consular Chief

News 18  

The United States Mission in India will open up student visa interview slots for Indian Students by next month said John Ballard, Consular Chief, U.S. Consulate General, Mumbai. Speaking at a media roundtable on US Mission to India’s consular operations, John Ballard said “We will be officially opening up most of our study visa appointments from June 1 till the middle of July. In the fiscal year 2022, the US Consular issued 1,25,000 study visas to the Indian students. Hugo Rodriguez, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Consular Affairs, US said “Mission India issued in the last 6 months nearly two and a half times the number of non-immigrant visas than in the same period last year.

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History of this topic

US announces new rules to streamline H-1B visa appointments, relief for Indian techies
5 days, 21 hours ago

US announces new rules to streamline H-1B visa appointments, relief for Indian techies

Hindustan Times  

US H1B visa: The US Embassy in India, beginning from January 1, 2025, will implement new regulations for scheduling and rescheduling non-immigrant visa appointments, including those for H-1B visas, aimed at streamlining the process and reducing wait times. The US embassy has announced new rules to streamline the appointment process for visa applicants This announcement on the US embassy's official …

New US visa appointment rules to cut wait time, bring relief for Indians in 2025
6 days, 7 hours 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 …

’Super Saturday’ visa initiative: US to reduce wait times on December 7 in THESE cities – Here’s what you need to know
2 weeks, 4 days ago

’Super Saturday’ visa initiative: US to reduce wait times on December 7 in THESE cities – Here’s what you need to know

Live Mint  

The United States Embassy in New Delhi and Consulates in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad is opening consular operations today, December 7, to accommodate applicants requiring in-person visa interviews. In a notification by the US Embassy, it said, “ This fourth “Super Saturday” is an innovative way to keep pace with the growing demand for travel between the United States and …

US Consulates to Hold ‘Super Saturday’ Visa Interviews
2 weeks, 4 days 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 …

Andhra, Telangana applicants got 56% of US student visas issued in India in 2023
1 month ago

Andhra, Telangana applicants got 56% of US student visas issued in India in 2023

India Today  

In a noteworthy trend reflecting the academic aspirations and global ambitions of Indian youth, students from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana accounted for 56 percent of all Indian student visas issued by the United States in 2023, according to the US Consulate General. Additionally, the growing popularity of US universities as global education hubs and the potential for better job prospects …

US visa: Indians among highest foreign students in America, but jobs remain concern; Reddit user says, ‘It’s a scam’
1 month, 1 week ago

US visa: Indians among highest foreign students in America, but jobs remain concern; Reddit user says, ‘It’s a scam’

Live Mint  

Indian students comprise the largest international student group in the United States, outnumbering students from other countries. India sent 80,469 more students, while China sent 6,169 more students, according to data from The Student and Exchange Visitor Program, a part of US Homeland Security Investigations. In a recent post on Reddit, a user explained the worries of Indian students pursuing …

HT Exclusive: Indian-American Visa expert shares immigration tips and tricks for Indian students in the US
2 months, 3 weeks 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 …

US Consulate Opens Student Visa Interviews
7 months ago

US Consulate Opens Student Visa Interviews

Deccan Chronicle  

Hyderabad: The US Consulate General in Hyderabad has announced the opening of slots for student visa interviews on Monday. The visa interview, typically lasting three to four minutes, focuses on three main aspects: students’ eligibility criteria, financial capability to fund their stay in the US, and intent to return to India after their studies. The applicants must carry with them …

‘Constantly reminding, tracking the process of establishing US consulate in Bengaluru’: EAM S Jaishankar
8 months, 1 week ago

‘Constantly reminding, tracking the process of establishing US consulate in Bengaluru’: EAM S Jaishankar

Hindustan Times  

EAM S Jaishankar said on Monday that he is tracking the process of establishing a US consulate in Bengaluru and constantly reminding them. S Jaishankar said that he would like to visit the consulate on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi because he made this request to US in his June last year visit. "I tell them that whenever you …

US envoy joins consular team to interview Indian visa applicants
9 months, 1 week 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 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 …

Bengaluru may soon get a US Consulate: Priyank Kharge
10 months, 1 week ago

Bengaluru may soon get a US Consulate: Priyank Kharge

The Hindu  

Minister for IT and BT Priyank M. Kharge said on Monday that Bengaluru might soon get a US Consulate, and it would help the huge population of students, technology workers, and business visitors going to the U.S. regularly with visa services and other formalities. It will help the IT and ITES industries, techies, and students in Karnataka, who now have …

Hyderabad makes history as U.S. smashes visa records in India
10 months, 3 weeks 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
10 months, 3 weeks 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” …

US issues 140,000 visas to Indian students: Why it is the destination of choice
1 year 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 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 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, 2 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, 2 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, 2 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 …

US visa interview wait time cut by 50% in India
1 year, 5 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 …

US student visa appointments begin in July. Check how to book slots
1 year, 6 months ago

US student visa appointments begin in July. Check how to book slots

Live Mint  

The United States has opened visa appointments for F-1 student visas across its consulates in India, bringing relief to many aspirants. How to apply for your nonimmigrant visa for travel to the United States What documents, photos and information you need to apply for your visa How to access visa application forms and instructions How to pay your visa application …

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, …

We will adjudicate 1 million visas in India this year, says U.S. official
1 year, 6 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, 6 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, 6 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, 6 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 …

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 …

Skip the queue! US Embassy in India expands Visa interview waiver process for these travellers looking for renewal
1 year, 7 months ago

Skip the queue! US Embassy in India expands Visa interview waiver process for these travellers looking for renewal

Hindustan Times  

Good news for travelers looking to renew their US visa! The US Embassy in India has announced that those with "clearance received" or "department authorization" on their previous visas can now use the interview waiver process to apply for a new visa. The US Embassy in India has announced that those with 'clearance received' or 'department authorization' on their previous …

U.S. on track to issue more than a million visas to Indians this year: official
1 year, 8 months ago

U.S. on track to issue more than a million visas to Indians this year: official

The Hindu  

The U.S. is on track to issue more than a million visas to Indians this year, a senior official has said, assuring that the Biden administration is committed this summer to make sure it processes all of the student visas for Indians whose school starts this fall. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu also …

US to process more than a million visas to Indians, says Biden administration official
1 year, 8 months ago

US to process more than a million visas to Indians, says Biden administration official

Firstpost  

Washington: The US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu said that the country is currently working to issue more than a million visas to Indians this year, ensuring that the Biden administration is committed to processing all student visas for Indians who are due to attend school this year. Tech companies usually depend on such …

US Consulate-Hyderabad launches ‘Visa Surge’ days to meet rising demand; more slots for students
1 year, 8 months ago

US Consulate-Hyderabad launches ‘Visa Surge’ days to meet rising demand; more slots for students

The Hindu  

The US Consulate in Hyderabad is introducing ‘Visa Surge’ days to create more slots to deal with the rising demand and special focus will be laid on student visas since they face difficulties in getting a slot before the classes commence. Consular Chief, US Consulate General Hyderabad, Rebekah Drame made this announcement while interacting with the media along with Consul …

US student visa: Update on application process for FI visa. Details here
1 year, 10 months ago

US student visa: Update on application process for FI visa. Details here

Hindustan Times  

The United States Department of State announced an update for international students looking to study in the US following which students will be allowed to apply for F-1 visa up to 365 days before their academic term begins. US universities can now accept and issue I-20 forms 12-14 months before term time but students can only enter the US on …

Update: Now, US visa applications can be accepted outside India. Details here
1 year, 10 months ago

Update: Now, US visa applications can be accepted outside India. Details here

Hindustan Times  

With many travellers still years behind on getting their US visa appointment, the United States is making every effort to shorten this duration. For example, @USEmbassyBKK has opened B1/B2 appointment capacity for Indians who will be in Thailand in the coming months.” Meanwhile, the embassy has also announced that applications to renew US visas can be submitted via file-hosting service …

New US visa rules to cut waiting period for Indians — All you need to know
1 year, 10 months ago

New US visa rules to cut waiting period for Indians — All you need to know

India Today  

The US embassy in India on Sunday said that Indians who are travelling abroad can get a visa appointment at the US embassy or consulate of their destination as the current waiting period for a US visa is more than 500 days in India. "The US Embassy in Bangkok has opened B1/B2 appointment capacity for Indians who will be in …

US visa applications can now be submitted via Dropbox. Details here
1 year, 10 months ago

US visa applications can now be submitted via Dropbox. Details here

Hindustan Times  

Applications to renew United States visas can now be submitted via Dropbox, news agency PTI said citing information from the US embassy. The US embassy and its consulates in India are prepping to receive a fresh record number of visa applications from students - after adjudicating on over 1.25 lakh in 2022 - PTI said citing John Ballard, the Consular …

U.S. Embassy says visa renewal application can be submitted through dropbox
1 year, 10 months ago

U.S. Embassy says visa renewal application can be submitted through dropbox

The Hindu  

People seeking renewal of U.S. visa can now submit their applications through dropbox, the U.S. Embassy has said while clarifying that such requests would not be entertained through email. According to John Ballard, the consular chief at the U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai, the U.S. embassy and consulates in India have prepared to receive a record number of visas from …

US Embassy, Consulates in India Plan to Process 'record' Number of Visas in 2023: Official
1 year, 10 months ago

US Embassy, Consulates in India Plan to Process 'record' Number of Visas in 2023: Official

News 18  

The US embassy and its consulates in India plan to process a “record” number of visas for Indians this year, Mumbai Consular Chief John Ballard said, in view of delays and a backlog in almost every visa category. “Last year, we adjudicated over 8,00,000 total visa adjudications and we are almost up to our pre-pandemic levels, which we expect to …

US embassy, consulates in India plan to process record number of visas in 2023
1 year, 10 months ago

US embassy, consulates in India plan to process record number of visas in 2023

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: The US embassy and its consulates in India plan to process a "record" number of visas for Indians this year, Mumbai Consular Chief John Ballard said, in view of delays and a backlog in almost every visa category. The embassy adjudicated over 1,25,000 student visas last year, a record number for Indians, and expects even more Indian students …

‘Spl Saturdays, Arrival of Dozens of Consular Staff’: US Embassy Takes Steps to Address Visa Crunch
1 year, 11 months ago

‘Spl Saturdays, Arrival of Dozens of Consular Staff’: US Embassy Takes Steps to Address Visa Crunch

News 18  

The US has launched several new initiatives to address the visa crunch which has upended plans for travel, business and studies of several Indians. “On January 21, the US mission in India launched the first in a series of special Saturday interview days, as part of a larger effort to reduce wait times for first-time visa applicants. Mumbai Consular Chief …

Working really hard to reduce visa wait times in India: US
1 year, 11 months ago

Working really hard to reduce visa wait times in India: US

Live Mint  

The US is “putting every ounce of its energy” to eliminate the long visa wait time in India, including sending a cadre of consular officers to the country and opening up its other overseas embassies as far away as Germany and Thailand for Indian visa applicants, according to a senior US visa officer. “We're putting every ounce of our energy …

US launches more steps to cut wait time for visa
1 year, 11 months ago

US launches more steps to cut wait time for visa

Hindustan Times  

The US has launched a multi-pronged initiative, including scheduling special visa interviews on Saturdays and deploying dozens of temporary staffers, to address the backlog in visa processing due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The US expects applications for all types of visas in India to increase to about 100,000 a month – or about 1.2 million annually – in 2023, making …

Increasing Consular Staff, Scheduling Spl Interviews: US Embassy Takes Steps to Address Visa Crunch
1 year, 11 months ago

Increasing Consular Staff, Scheduling Spl Interviews: US Embassy Takes Steps to Address Visa Crunch

News 18  

With an aim to cut delays in visa processing in India, the US has launched new initiatives, including scheduling special interviews for first time applicants and increasing strength of consular staff. As part of the multi-pronged approach to cut the visa backlog, the US embassy in Delhi and the consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad conducted “special Saturday interview …

India requests US for speedy issuance of business visas
1 year, 11 months ago

India requests US for speedy issuance of business visas

Firstpost  

Washington: Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Wednesday said that India requested the United States to speed up the issuance of business visas so that people can undertake short trips to pursue their business and trade interests. “We found very good resonance to our request that issuance of business visas which is taking a long time back …

Update on US visa interview appointment time in India and delays
1 year, 11 months ago

Update on US visa interview appointment time in India and delays

Hindustan Times  

The United States is making every effort to reduce waiting times for visa interview appointments in India, top State Department official Ned Prince said, adding that the processing of visas is recovering much faster than earlier projected and could reach pre-pandemic levels in 2023. US Visa: Ned Price also informed that the US has issued more student visas in the …

Making every effort to reduce visa interview appointment time in India: U.S.
1 year, 11 months ago

Making every effort to reduce visa interview appointment time in India: U.S.

The Hindu  

The United States is making every effort to reduce the waiting time for visa interview appointments in India as soon as possible, a State Department spokesperson said Wednesday. "Visa processing is recovering faster than projected and over the coming year, we expect to reach pre-pandemic processing levels," State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters at his daily news conference. We …

US issued nearly 1,25,000 student visas to Indians in 2022, says Ned Price
1 year, 11 months ago

US issued nearly 1,25,000 student visas to Indians in 2022, says Ned Price

Firstpost  

Washington: The United States embassy and consulates in India have issued a record 1,25,000 student visas in 2022, a State Department spokesperson said Wednesday. State Department spokesperson Ned Price also said the US is making every effort to reduce the waiting time for visa interview appointment in India as soon as possible. We have issued nearly 1,25,000 student visas,” State …

Around 1,25,000 student visas issued by US to Indians in 2022: Official
1 year, 11 months ago

Around 1,25,000 student visas issued by US to Indians in 2022: Official

Live Mint  

US embassy and consulates in India said they have issued record-breaking visas to Indian students in 2022. State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said the US issued more student visas in fiscal year 2022 than in any year since 2016. Price said US embassy and consulates in India in particular broke their all-time record for the number of student visas issued …

US Govt Aware of Long Delays in Visa Appointments in India, Says White House
2 years ago

US Govt Aware of Long Delays in Visa Appointments in India, Says White House

News 18  

The Biden Administration is aware of the long delays in visa appointments in India and is working to respond to the ”significant demand of these visa services”, the White House said Thursday. Early this week, a presidential commission recommended President Joe Biden to consider issuing a memo to the State Department to reduce the visa appointment wait times to a …

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