Study Abroad: US issues record 90,000 student visas to Indians this summer; highest globally

NEW DELHI: The United States of America's Mission in India has issued over 90,000 student visas, a record, this summer, June, July, and August. The US Mission said one out four visas globally have been issued to Indian students.

The mission on its X handle, formerly known as Twitter, congratulated the students and said: “we issued a record number – over 90,000 – of student visas this Summer/ in June, July, and August.”

The U.S. Mission in India is pleased to announce that we issued a record number – over 90,000 – of student visas this Summer/ in June, July, and August. This summer almost one in four student visas worldwide was issued right here in India! Congratulations and best wishes to all…

— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) September 25, 2023

The record achieved this summer comes after the US Government earlier this year announced that foreign students can apply for a visa up to a year in advance before their academic term begins. Last year, the US government issued a record 1,25,000 student visas to Indians.

Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan had met US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti last month to discuss student mobility and skill cooperation.

"Good discussions on the vibrant educational, innovation and research linkages between India and the US. "Also, had fruitful discussions on ways to broaden our knowledge bridges, promote student and scholar mobility and strengthen our skill cooperation through community colleges in the US," Pradhan has said on his X platform.

Record student visas to UK

The student visas to the United Kingdom have seen a surge this year. As per UK's home office’s data, it has granted 1,42,848 sponsored study visas to Indians till June this year, which is 49,883 more than the number of visas granted last year in the same period. The UK government has said it is the largest number of study visas granted to any nationality.

The ministry of external affairs (MEA) in a recent report had said that the US has most Indian students abroad. It is followed by Canada which has 1,83,310 Indian students.