A surge in Indian travelers to the United States is on track to set a new record this year, demonstrating a strong rebound in international travel following the pandemic. In 2023, a remarkable 17.6 lakh Indians visited the US, exceeding the pre-pandemic figure of 14.7 lakh in 2019. This year, from January to August, over 15.5 lakh Indians have already made the trip, and with the peak student season in September, the total for 2024 is expected to match or even surpass last year’s number. This surge highlights a significant rise in travel interest among Indians to the US, driven by a combination of factors.
The strong Indian diaspora of 51 lakh in the US plays a major role, encouraging visits from friends and relatives. But it’s not just about family visits; business and student travel are also booming. India has quickly become one of the top overseas source markets for international visitors to the United States. In fact, from January to August 2024, India became the second largest source of overseas travelers to the US, reflecting the deepening ties between the two nations. While Canada and Mexico, due to their shared land borders, continue to lead in overall international visitor numbers, India has shown remarkable growth, surpassing Germany in the first eight months of 2024. This is a significant milestone, showcasing India’s increasing influence as a key travel market for the United States.
The US mission in India has been issuing record numbers of visas, yet the overwhelming demand has resulted in long waiting times for interview-required visitor visas. According to the US State Department’s website on Thursday, the wait period stands at 477 days in Kolkata, 466 days in Delhi, 433 days in Chennai, 352 days in Hyderabad, and 312 days in Mumbai. This demand is partly driven by the US policy of granting 10-year, multiple-entry visas to successful applicants, encouraging frequent repeat visits. This ease of repeat travel contrasts with the Schengen visa system in Europe, where mostly short-term visas are issued, forcing travelers to go through the tedious and paperwork-intensive visa application process repeatedly.
The US is actively focusing on India to help achieve its international tourism goals and support economic growth. Brian Beall, director of the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) under the Department of Commerce, stated that the US aims to attract 9 crore visitors annually, with an estimated $280 billion in spending, by 2027. This growing interest in Indian travelers plays a crucial role in meeting those targets, especially with the surge in repeat visits due to long-term visas.
As September comes to a close, it seems highly likely that a new milestone will be reached, further cementing the growing bond between the two countries through travel.
