US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, announced recently that the waiting time for first-time tourist visa interviews in the United States has been reduced by over 50%. Speaking at IIT Delhi, Garcetti highlighted the goal for 2023 to process at least 10 Lakh visas and emphasized the improved speed of visa processing in India.
“We’re already doing this. We’re currently processing more visas, faster, than the US Mission in India ever has before. We have set a goal for ourselves to process at least a million visas in 2023, and we’re already more than halfway towards reaching that goal,” Garcetti stated.
The ambassador further highlighted the importance of expanding visa operations and increasing staff to eliminate barriers for qualified travellers seeking to visit the United States. Garcetti mentioned the use of innovative solutions to streamline the visa process, such as reducing the need for in-person interviews. This approach allows consular teams worldwide to assist in processing visas for the growing number of Indian travellers.
India and US have been actively working to make the visa process smoother. In a recent interaction with the Indian community in the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an important announcement regarding work visa renewals for Indian professionals. Modi stated that Indian professionals can now renew their work visas without having to travel abroad.
Additionally, Prime Minister Modi announced the opening of new consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. He also stated that H1B visa renewals can now be done within the United States itself. The Indian government is set to open a new consulate in Seattle this year, and plans are underway to establish Indian consulates in two more cities across America.
PM Modi expressed the significance of the partnership between India and the US, stating, “Together we are not just forming policies and agreements, we are shaping lives, dreams, and destinies.”
These initiatives demonstrate the commitment of both India and the United States to facilitate travel and strengthen the bilateral relationship by promoting ease of movement and fostering economic and cultural exchanges between the two nations.
