The United States is actively working to expedite the processing time for visitor visas for Indian tourists, building on the 75 per cent reduction achieved last year, as revealed by Rena Bitter, Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs.

In an interview with news agency PTI, Bitter highlighted the historic surge in Indians travelling to the United States, with the embassy processing 1.4 million visas last year. Despite substantial improvements, she acknowledged that there is still a wait time for first-time tourists, emphasising the ongoing efforts to address this specific area.

Bitter highlighted the crucial role of people-to-people ties, business travel, and family connections in the bilateral relationship, expressing a commitment to supporting the increasing demand. She noted that the wait time for first-time tourists has already seen a 75 per cent reduction and assured continued efforts to enhance the process.

Responding to queries about H1B visas, Bitter discussed the ongoing pilot program allowing Indians in the U.S. to renew their visas without travelling abroad. She underlined the significance of Indian skilled workers in the U.S. and revealed that the pilot program would conclude this month. The results will be thoroughly evaluated to explore further measures to simplify processes for Indian professionals.

The H-1B visa, crucial for tech companies hiring foreign workers with specialised skills, has been a focus of attention. Bitter mentioned the substantial increase in H1B visas issued by the Indian embassy last year, with a commitment to addressing the concerns raised during discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Joe Biden.

Regarding student visas, Bitter noted that one in four international students in the U.S. is from India. She expressed excitement about Indian students enriching American classrooms and assured that measures are in place to meet the growing demand for education in the United States.

The academic year 2022-23 witnessed a 35 per cent increase in the number of Indians pursuing higher education in the U.S., reaching an all-time high of 2,68,923 students. Last year, the U.S. consular team in India issued over 1,40,000 student visas, setting a record for the third consecutive year and highlighting solid educational ties between the two nations.

(With inputs from PTI)