India now 2nd largest source of foreign visitors to the US, with a 27% yearly increase

India's significant growth in US travel is evidenced by a 27% rise in foreign visitors year-to-date

Published on: Nov 17, 2024, 14:20:41 IST

By HT News Desk

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India is now the second-largest source of foreign visitors to the United States this year, with a 27 percent increase compared to the previous year. It also consistently ranks high for business and student visas throughout the year.

The US embassy on Sunday night said it will resume routine in-person tourist visa appointments from September.

It has emerged as the second-largest international source market for travel to the United States between January and May 2024, according to statistics published by the US National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO). All prior arrival records have been surpassed by this spike in travel.

263,150 people flew from India to the United States in May 2024 alone, which is a roughly 32% increase over the 199,364 arrivals in May 2023. India's ranking as the second-largest source of US visitors for the month was cemented by this considerable increase.

Also read: 20% dip in Indian students amid visa, safety concerns in UK

With 882,404 arrivals overall between January and May 2024, India held its dominant position, ranking second only to the United Kingdom. When compared to the 643,270 Indian arrivals that were documented over the same time in 2023, this indicates a significant increase of 37.2%. India is the fourth-largest source market for foreign visitors to the United States during this time, including arrivals from Canada and Mexico.

Visa process

The American Embassy in India has promised that they are gradually reducing the backlog and attempting to shorten the time it takes to process visas. At the moment, the duration required to process a tourist visa to the United States varies by city, ranging from 441 days in Hyderabad to 607 days in Kolkata.

Also read: Canada ends 10-yr tourist visa validity

Indians were also given the option to apply for US tourist visas via other nations' consulates, which would help to expedite the backlog and shorten the processing time. Additionally, the visa authorities are fixing technological issues that cause delays in procedures like arranging interviews and appointments.

Also read: Young tourists visit Lko’s Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary

Brand USA is dedicated to improving travel possibilities and experiences for Indian tourists via ongoing marketing initiatives and partnerships within the Indian travel industry, acknowledging India's significance as a major market for US tourism.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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