NEW DELHI: The United States has issued over one million non-immigrant visas to Indians for the second consecutive year, with a record number of visitor visas. According to a statement from the US mission in India, the country has also become the top sender of international students in 2024, with over 331,000 students enrolled – the first time since the 2008/2009 academic year. Additionally, India has maintained its position as the largest contributor of international graduate students for two years in a row, with numbers increasing by 19% to nearly 200,000. The mission in India highlighted the significant demand from Indians for travel to the US for tourism, business, and education, noting a five-fold increase in visitor numbers from India over the past four years. More than two million Indians traveled to the US in the first eleven months of 2024, a 26% increase compared to the same period in 2023. There are currently over five million Indians with nonimmigrant visas to visit the US, with thousands more being issued daily by the US embassy in India.
Domestic renewal of H-1B visas
The US state department has successfully implemented a pilot program for H-1B visa renewals within the United States, benefiting many Indian specialty occupation workers who could renew their visas without leaving the country. The Department plans to officially establish this domestic renewal program in 2025, following the success of the pilot in simplifying the process for thousands. The US Mission in India has processed numerous immigrant visas, enabling legal family reunions and professional migration. Upon arrival, these visa recipients have gained permanent residency status, enriching the significant Indian diaspora community in America. In 2024, an enhanced version of the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) was launched, improving emergency communication and security alert distribution to American citizens, according to the statement. The processing of interview waiver-eligible nonimmigrant visa applications has significantly increased, making visa renewals easier for Indians. Through operational enhancements and global resource utilization, the Mission has improved its capacity for in-person interviews, resulting in reduced waiting times. The removal of India from the Exchange Visitors Skills List has eliminated the two-year home residency requirement for many exchange visitors, providing enhanced opportunities for career advancement and education.