1 million Indians applied visas this year for US, got them too

| Updated: 29 September, 2023 3:47 pm IST

NEW DELHI: The US Mission to India has surpassed its goal of processing one million non-immigrant visa applications in 2023 on Thursday. This is a record-breaking milestone, and it reflects the strong people-to-people ties between the United States and India.

US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti personally handed over the one millionth visa to a couple who will be traveling to the United States to attend their son’s graduation at MIT.

READ MORE: Diplomatic tensions with Canada prompt Indians to seek study alternatives abroad

“People-to-people ties between our countries are stronger than ever,” Ambassador Garcetti said. “We’re celebrating a historic year for the U.S.-India partnership, as we proudly reach the 1 million visa milestone! To every single one of those million applicants, a heartfelt thank you for being a part of the incredible #USIndia story. #Missionto1M”

The Mission has already surpassed the total number of cases processed in 2022 and is processing almost 20% more applications than in pre-pandemic 2019. Last year, over 1.2 million Indians visited the United States, making this one of the most robust travel relationships in the world. Indians now represent over 10% of all visa applicants worldwide, including 20% of all student visa applicants and 65% of all H&L-category (employment) visa applicants. The United States welcomes this growth.

READ MORE: India halts visa services in Canada as tensions escalate 

The US Embassy to India also shared the milestone on its official Twitter handle: “#Missionto1M accomplished! We are excited to announce that the U.S. Mission to India has reached and surpassed our goal to process one million visa applications in 2023! We will not stop here and continue our progress in coming months, to give as many Indian applicants the opportunity to travel to the United States.”

This achievement comes at a time when India and Canada’s relationship is strained. India has stopped issuing visas to Canadians after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged India’s involvement in the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

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