The US is on track to issue more than a million visas to Indians this year, a senior official said as per news agency PTI. The Biden administration is committed to making sure that it processes all of the student visas for Indians, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu told PTI in an interview. The US is also prioritizing work visas- H-1B’s and L visas- most sought-after by IT professionals from India, he said.
The United States has set a target to issue over 1 million visas to Indian citizens in the year 2023, according to a senior US official. This news comes as a relief to the thousands of Indians who have been waiting for their visa applications to be processed and approved.
The announcement was made by the US Ambassador to India, Atul Keshap, during a virtual event organized by the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF). Keshap stated that the US is committed to strengthening its partnership with India and that issuing visas to Indian citizens is an important part of this partnership.
The US has been a popular destination for Indian students, professionals, and tourists for decades. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted travel and immigration, leading to a backlog of visa applications. This has resulted in long wait times for applicants, causing frustration and anxiety for those awaiting approval.
The US has been working to address this backlog and speed up the visa process. In March 2021, the US announced that it would be expanding its Interview Waiver Program (IWP) in India. The IWP allows certain eligible visa applicants to skip the in-person interview, which can help to expedite the visa issuance process.
The US has also been encouraging Indian students and professionals to apply for visas through its various outreach programs. The US Mission in India has launched initiatives like the Student Visa Day and the Consular Open House to provide information and support to visa applicants.
The announcement of the target to issue over 1 million visas to Indians in 2023 is a welcome development for both Indian citizens and US-India relations. It is a clear indication that the US is committed to maintaining its long-standing partnership with India and promoting people-to-people ties between the two countries.
As the world begins to emerge from the pandemic, the US-India relationship is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the global landscape. With the US setting ambitious targets for visa issuance, and India responding with initiatives to support and encourage travel and immigration, the future looks bright for the partnership between these two great nations.
