US Aims to Cut Visitor Visa Wait for Indians

US Aims: The United States is actively working to further slash visitor visa wait times for Indians, following a remarkable 75% reduction last year, as per Rena Bitter, Assistant Secretary of the US Bureau of Consular Affairs.

Bitter highlighted the surge in Indian travellers to the US, with last year seeing 1.4M visas processed, predominantly in categories with negligible wait times, except for first-time tourism visitors.

US Aims to…

Efforts to diminish this wait time are underway, recognizing the significance of bilateral ties. Bitter emphasized the importance of people-to-people connections, business travel, and family ties in fostering this relationship. The focus extends to supporting the Indian post to cope with the escalating demand.

Regarding H1B visas, Bitter mentioned a pilot program allowing Indians in the US to renew their visas without traveling abroad, set to conclude in February. She underscored the vital role of Indian skilled workers in the US economy, with the Indian embassy issuing a record 34% more H1B visas last year.

The conversation between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden last year emphasized the seriousness of this issue.

On the education front, Bitter noted India’s significant presence, with one in four international students in the US hailing from India.

These students not only receive quality education but also contribute diverse perspectives to American classrooms, enriching the academic environment.

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