At 55,000, US clears most Indian student visas in ’21

The US Mission in India on Monday said its Embassy and Consulates have approved more student visa applicants in 2021 than ever before, “despite the Covid-19 pandemic”.

More than 55,000 students and exchange visitors will go to the US from India this year, and the number is going up each day with the US Mission planning to approve more applications.

Embassies and Consulates usually begin interviews for applicants for the fall semester in May. However, the schedule has been deferred by two months this year due to the pandemic.

In July, the work to issue visas started as soon as conditions allowed for resumption of visa services without risking applicants’ health.

The US Embassy and Consulates officials said they worked beyond the working hours to accommodate as many visa applications as possible. On the record student visa approvals, Ambassador Atul Keshap, Chargé d’affaires at the US Embassy in New Delhi, told Business Standard, “The US Mission in India is proud to facilitate students’ travel and study given the unique experience of studying in the US. Indian students, too, enrich the US society, achieve high levels of academic success, and deepen the bonds of friendship between our countries.”

The US Mission said the American higher education system comprised over 4,500 nationally and regionally accredited colleges and universities in the US, which are recognized worldwide for the quality of their programmes, faculty, and facilities.

Given the continued interest among Indian students looking to study in the US, the US Mission to India has not only invited students to visit https://educationusaindia.usief.org.in/ but also participate in the upcoming Education USA University Virtual Fairs, to be held on August 27 for graduates, and on September 3 for prospective undergraduate students.