Days after PM Modi’s visit, US opens 250,000 additional visa slots for Indians

The US Mission to India has opened 250,000 new visa appointment slots, benefiting various categories of Indian travelers. This initiative follows Prime Minister Modi's recent visit and aims to strengthen US-India relations by facilitating timely interviews for applicants.

Livemint
Published30 Sep 2024, 03:42 PM IST
President Joe Biden talks with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he leaves the Quad leaders summit in Delaware.
President Joe Biden talks with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he leaves the Quad leaders summit in Delaware.(AP)

The US Mission to India announced the opening of 250,000 new visa appointment slots on Monday — days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the US and held meetings with President Joe Biden. The new lots will be allocated to Indian travellers applying under various categories including tourists, skilled workers, and students.

“The new slots will help hundreds of thousands of Indian applicants take timely interviews, facilitating the travel which is the backbone of the people-to-people ties that underpin the US-India relationship. The US Mission to India has already surpassed one million non-immigrant visa applications for the second consecutive year. We are now focused on bringing families together, connecting businesses and facilitating tourism,” read a post shared by the US Embassy in India.

"More than 1.2 million Indians have traveled to the United States year to date in 2024 — a 35% increase over the same period in 2023. At least six million Indians already have a nonimmigrant visa to visit the United States, and each day, the Mission issues thousands more.

Also Read | Visas for Indians in focus as race to replace Rishi Sunak heats up

The update came mere days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the US for the Quad summit and held bilateral talks with President Joe Biden. The two leaders had discussed the US-India Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership and stressed the need to “forge deeper bonds” between the two countries.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden set an ambitious goal to improve and expedite the visa process and I am proud to say that we have delivered on that promise. Our consular teams at the embassy and four consulates work tirelessly to ensure that we meet the surging demand," said US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti.

The US visa processing time has been reduced by more than 75% over the past two years — with the average falling from 1000 days to a significantly more manageable 250 days across India by January.

(With inputs from agencies)

Catch all the Business News , Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.

MoreLess
First Published:30 Sep 2024, 03:42 PM IST
Business NewsNewsIndiaDays after PM Modi’s visit, US opens 250,000 additional visa slots for Indians

Get Instant Loan up to ₹10 Lakh!

  • Employment Type

    Most Active Stocks

    Tata Steel share price

    149.70
    07:18 PM | 1 NOV 2024
    1.05 (0.71%)

    Indian Oil Corporation share price

    145.00
    07:19 PM | 1 NOV 2024
    2.3 (1.61%)

    Tata Power share price

    445.20
    07:19 PM | 1 NOV 2024
    5.15 (1.17%)

    Bandhan Bank share price

    183.65
    07:10 PM | 1 NOV 2024
    1.4 (0.77%)
    More Active Stocks

    Market Snapshot

    • Top Gainers
    • Top Losers
    • 52 Week High

    Rainbow Childrens Medicare share price

    1,545.00
    06:59 PM | 1 NOV 2024
    -67.25 (-4.17%)

    ICICI Securities share price

    833.45
    06:59 PM | 1 NOV 2024
    -32.85 (-3.79%)

    Vijaya Diagnostic Centre share price

    966.70
    06:59 PM | 1 NOV 2024
    -30.35 (-3.04%)

    Narayana Hrudayalaya share price

    1,235.60
    06:59 PM | 1 NOV 2024
    -36.75 (-2.89%)
    More from Top Losers

    Brigade Enterprises share price

    1,244.80
    07:19 PM | 1 NOV 2024
    71.75 (6.12%)

    PCBL share price

    432.15
    07:17 PM | 1 NOV 2024
    21.35 (5.2%)

    Piramal Pharma share price

    281.85
    07:17 PM | 1 NOV 2024
    13.45 (5.01%)

    Jubilant Pharmova share price

    1,273.00
    06:59 PM | 1 NOV 2024
    60.65 (5%)
    More from Top Gainers

    Recommended For You

      More Recommendations

      Gold Prices

      • 24K
      • 22K
      Bangalore
      81,355.000.00
      Chennai
      81,361.000.00
      Delhi
      81,513.000.00
      Kolkata
      81,365.000.00

      Fuel Price

      • Petrol
      • Diesel
      Bangalore
      102.92/L-0.06
      Chennai
      101.23/L0.43
      Kolkata
      104.95/L0.00
      New Delhi
      94.77/L0.00

      Popular in News

        HomeMarketsPremiumInstant LoanMint Shorts