US issued record 82,000 visas to Indian students in 2022, higher than any other country

United States granted a record number of 82,000 student visas to Indians in 2022, according to American Embassy in India. Notably,  figure is higher than last year. From May through August, US embassy in New Delhi and consulates in Chennai, Hyderab, Kolkata, and Mumbai prioritised processing of Indian student visa applications.

Embassy said in a statement that this was done to ensure that as many qualified students as possible arrived for ir programmes of study on time for ir scheduled start dates.

American Embassy said, "Indian students received more US student visas than any or country."

Charge d’affaires of US Embassy in India, Patricia Lacina said, "We are happy to see so many students were able to receive visas and reach ir universities after delays caused in previous years by COVID-19 pandemic." She furr ded, "We issued over 82,000 student visas this summer alone, more than in any previous year."

According to Lacina, number also emphasises significant contributions that Indian students make to both nations as y forge enduring bonds with American peers to uphold and expand international partnerships while tackling big challenges.

167,582 Indian students received US visa in 2020–2021

Open Doors report from 2021 shows that re were 167,582 students from India in 2020–2021 acemic year, representing approximately 20% of all international students enrolled in American universities, according to embassy. US government and higher education institutions put into place measures to safely welcome foreign students in person, online, and through hybrid learning techniques in 2020, ensuring that opportunities and resources for foreign students remain robust.

In dition to Americans, Indians have also received majority of UK study, employment, and tour visas in UK. In year ending June 2022, around 118,000 Indian students were granted a student visa, an increase of 89% from previous year. India has surpassed China as most common nationality granted sponsored study visas in United Kingdom. "In fiscal year ending June 2022, Indian nationals received greatest number of UK study, employment, and visitor visas," said British Embassy in India.

Image: AP