The US Embassy and Consulates in India issued over 1.4 million visas in 2023, setting new records across visa categories. Indian nationals accounted for 10% of all US visa applicants globally. Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Chennai emerged as the top 4 US student visa processing centers worldwide, granting over 140,000 student visas to Indians in 2023 – the highest for any country. Indians now comprise over a quarter of all international graduates in the US.
Employment visas were also prioritized, with over 380,000 processed at the Chennai and Hyderabad centers. A new 2024 pilot program will further boost efficiency by allowing eligible H1B visa holders to renew their visas within the US. With over 700,000 applications, visitor visas marked the second highest volume in US Mission history. Appointment wait times were cut by 75% through consolidated operations.
