Phoenix, USA: As per recent data released by the US Embassy in New Delhi, more than 5 million Indian citizens now hold non-immigrant visas for travel to the United States. This marks a significant achievement, with the US mission reporting the issuance of over one million non-immigrant visas for the second consecutive year. Over the past four years, the number of Indian visitors to the US has witnessed a remarkable five-fold increase.

Indians are traveling to the US for a variety of reasons, including tourism, business, and education. The embassy highlighted the surge in the processing of non-immigrant visa applications, particularly for those eligible for interview exemptions, making it easier for Indians to renew their visas.

Additionally, the US Department of State has successfully implemented a pilot program allowing Indian H-1B visa holders to renew their visas without having to leave the US. This initiative has significantly streamlined the visa renewal process for many workers. Looking ahead, the Department of State plans to formally introduce a US-based restoration program in 2025.

In a broader context, a growing number of Indian immigrants have now become permanent US residents, joining a thriving and affluent Indian diaspora in the country.

The US mission in India has also provided a wide range of consular services to American citizens, offering over 24,000 passports and other services to those residing or traveling in India. Among the notable achievements, India has once again emerged as the largest source of international graduate students in the US for the second consecutive year. The number of Indian graduates has surged by 19%, totaling nearly 200,000.

In 2024, more than 331,000 Indian students are studying in the US, making India the top country in terms of international student enrollment. This represents the highest number since the 2008-09 academic year.

Furthermore, Indian exchange visitors are now able to remain in the US without the requirement to return home for two years after completing their programs, thanks to the exclusion of India from the exchange visitors' skills list. This adjustment offers greater flexibility to holders of J-1 non-immigrant visas from India.