Ajay Bhutoria Backs Decision to Add 250,000 Visa Appointments

Ajay Bhutoria supported the addition of 250,000 visa appointments, enhancing travel for Indians and strengthening ties between the United States and India.

Ajay Bhutoria, an Indian-American member of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Asian-Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI), has put forward his support for the recent decision by the US Mission in India to release an additional 250,000 visa appointments. This move is aimed at facilitating travel for various categories of applicants, including tourists, skilled workers and students. These newly available slots will enable Indian applicants to schedule timely interviews, which are essential for maintaining the people-to-people ties that underpin the relationship between the United States and India.

In response to this development, the increase in visa slots is a direct outcome of the recommendations previously submitted to the White House AANHPI commission. The efforts of the US Embassy in India, particularly the work of Ambassador Eric Garcetti, for their commitment to addressing the prolonged wait times for visa appointments. The introduction of these 250,000 additional appointments represents a significant advancement in supporting Indian travelers, especially families and students seeking to visit the United States.

As a member of the commission, Bhutoria has submitted various key recommendations aimed at alleviating the challenges associated with visa appointment wait times and the green card backlog. His proposals included increasing the number of available visa appointments and considering innovative solutions, such as video appointments, to enhance accessibility and efficiency in the visa process. Bhutoria reiterated his dedication to advocating for further improvements in the visa application process to make it more efficient for everyone involved.

The data indicates that more than 1.2 million Indians have traveled to the US so far in 2024, marking a 35 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. The ambitious goals set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden to streamline and enhance the visa process are being realized through these initiatives. The embassy’s consular teams are working diligently to meet the growing demand for visa services.

In 2023 alone, the US issued over 140,000 student visas to Indian nationals, surpassing the numbers from any other country and setting a record for the third consecutive year. Bhutoria's advocacy and the subsequent actions taken by the US Embassy demonstrate a commitment to fostering strong ties between the two countries.

By addressing visa appointment wait times and implementing innovative solutions, the initiative supports the growing demand for travel and education, as evidenced by the record number of Indian nationals traveling to the US. As both nations work collaboratively to streamline the visa process, these efforts will facilitate individual journeys and also strengthen the broader relationship, promoting cultural exchange and economic cooperation for years to come.