Over 10 Lakh Non-Immigrant Visas Issued to Indians in 2024 as US Travel Demand Hits New Heights
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): In 2024, the US mission issued over 10 lakh non-immigrant visas to Indian nationals including a record number of visitor visas, marking the second consecutive year of high demand for travel to the US. This surge in travel has seen more than 20 lakh Indians heading to the US in the first 11 months of 2024, a 26% increase from the same period in 2023.
The US mission in India highlighted that for the second year in a row over a 10 lakh non-immigrant visas were issued, underscoring the significant demand from Indians for tourism, business and education opportunities in the US. The past four years have seen a fivefold increase in the number of Indian visitors and currently more than five million Indians hold a non-immigrant visa to visit the US.
The mission also facilitated the issuance of tens of thousands of immigrant visas, enabling legal family reunification and the migration of skilled professionals. Immigrant visa holders are granted permanent resident status upon arrival, further contributing to the growth of the vibrant Indian diaspora in the US. Regarding H1B visas, the US embassy shared that a successful pilot program was implemented this year, allowing H-1B visa renewals within the US. This initiative benefited many Indian workers in specialty occupations, allowing them to renew their visas without leaving the country. The program’s success has led the Department of State to work on formally establishing a US-based renewal program in 2025.
On the student visa front, 2024 saw a record number of Indian students obtaining US visas. India became the leading source of international students for the first time since the 2008/2009 academic year with over 3,31,000 students enrolled in US institutions. India also remained the largest source of international graduate students in the US for the second consecutive year with a 19% increase in graduate student numbers, totaling nearly 2,00,000 students. The US mission emphasized its commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and providing outstanding consular services, crediting these achievements to the dedicated efforts of the Mission's staff and the continued partnership between the United States and India.
