Close X
Saturday, November 23, 2024
ADVT 
International

US Mission in India processes over 1 mn non-immigrant visas in 2023

Darpan News Desk IANS, 28 Sep, 2023 10:48 AM
  • US Mission in India processes over 1 mn non-immigrant visas in 2023

New Delhi, Sep 28 (IANS): The US Mission to India said on Thursday that it has reached and surpassed its goal to process one million non-immigrant visa applications in 2023.

Stating that Indians made over one in 10 visa applications worldwide, the Mission said it has already surpassed the total number of cases processed in 2022 and is processing almost 20 per cent more applications than in pre-pandemic 2019.

“Our partnership with India is one of the United States’ most important bilateral relationships, and in fact one of the most important relationships in the world," US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said.

"The ties between our people are stronger than ever, and we will continue our record-setting volume of visa work in the coming months to give as many Indian applicants as possible the opportunity to travel to the United States and experience the US-India friendship firsthand,” Garcetti added.

The Ambassador on Thursday handed over the passport to the one millionth visa holder and said: “… this year we are so proud… we have processed over 1 million visa applications."

Last year ,over 1.2 million Indians visited the US, making this one of the most robust travel relationships in the world.

Indians now represent over 10 per cent of all visa applicants worldwide, including 20 per cent of all student visa applicants and 65 per cent of all H&L-category (employment) visa applicants.

Recognising the continued high demand for its visas, the Mission said that the US continues to invest heavily in our operations in India.

In the past year, the Mission said it expanded its staffing to facilitate more visa processing, and made significant capital improvements to existing facilities, such as the US Consulate in Chennai, and inaugurating a new Consulate building in Hyderabad.

The Mission said that beginning next year, it plans to implement a pilot program that would allow domestic visa renewal for qualified H&L-category employment visa applicants.

MORE International ARTICLES

Sikh man pleads guilty to misappropriating $480k in Singapore

Sikh man pleads guilty to misappropriating $480k in Singapore
Gurdaib Singh Pala Singh, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to two counts of criminal breach of trust involving nearly $459,000 and an offence under the Legal Profession Act. A third criminal breach of trust charge involving another $21,000 will be considered during sentencing.

Sikh man pleads guilty to misappropriating $480k in Singapore

Sikh man dies after being rescued from California lake

Sikh man dies after being rescued from California lake
Hashpreet Singh had gone to Millerton Lake in Fresno, California, along with his wife when he was swept away by the waters, according to a fundraiser page created for him. Singh was not wearing a life jacket, nor did he know how to swim, according to a park ranger.

Sikh man dies after being rescued from California lake

55 whales found ashore on Scotland beach

55 whales found ashore on Scotland beach
A pod of 55 pilot whales found washed ashore on a beach in Scotland has died in what marine experts are calling the worst mass whale stranding in the area. Marine rescuers, the coast guard and police found just 15 of the whales alive when they got to the beach on the Isle of Lewis early yesterday.

55 whales found ashore on Scotland beach

Indian-American sentenced to life for killing 3 teens over doorbell prank

Indian-American sentenced to life for killing 3 teens over doorbell prank
Chandra's victims were identified as Drake Ruiz and Daniel Hawkins of Corona and Jacob Ivascu of Riverside, who were all 16-years-old at the time. The 18-year-old driver of Toyota Prius, as well as two other boys ages 13 and 14, were injured but survived.  

Indian-American sentenced to life for killing 3 teens over doorbell prank

Two teens jailed for life in UK for murdering fellow Indian

Two teens jailed for life in UK for murdering fellow Indian
Ronan Kanda died on the spot after he was attacked by Prabjeet Veadhesa and Sukhman Shergill, both 17, with a machete and ninja sword in June 2022 in Wolverhampton. 

Two teens jailed for life in UK for murdering fellow Indian

Indian-American admits to promoting illegal charitable contribution tax scheme

Indian-American admits to promoting illegal charitable contribution tax scheme
According to court documents and statements made in court, Garuda engaged in a scheme -- Advanced Legacy Plan or the Ultimate Tax Plan -- to assist high-income individuals in unlawfully reducing their taxes using a plan organised, marketed and sold by a co-conspirator.  

Indian-American admits to promoting illegal charitable contribution tax scheme