US envoy Eric Garcetti reveals that over 5 million Indians currently hold American visas

The United States Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, on Monday revealed that over 5 million Indians currently hold American visas, noting that the issuance has surged by more than 60 per cent ever since he was appointed in New Delhi.

"Since becoming Ambassador, we have increased our visas by more than 60 per cent, eliminated wait times for all visa types except for first-time visitor visas. For the second year in a row, we issued more than 1 million non-immigrant visas, including a record number of visitor visas. In fact, more than 5 million Indians currently hold United States visas," Garcetti said



while addressing an event at Fulbright House in New Delhi.

Garcetti, whose term as the US ambassador to India is ending soon, also noted that India has become the number one source of higher education students in America.

"I am proud that since becoming ambassador, India has become the number one source of higher education students in the USA. One in four foreign students studying in American universities are proudly Indian students," he said.

Speaking about his tenure in New Delhi, Garcetti expressed pride in his role in advancing US-India relations.