New Delhi: Despite the raging COVID-19 pandemic, a record number of student visa applications were approved by the United States in 2021.
“Through these efforts, more than 55,000 students and exchange visitors are boarding planes to study in the United States, and more students are being approved every day. The US Mission looks forward to another great student season as it facilitates study for spring semester students over the coming few months,” the US mission in India said via a statement.
“Studying in the United States is a unique and often life-changing experience for Indian students, granting fresh, global perspectives and frequently leading to invaluable career opportunities.
“Indian students also enrich US society, achieve high levels of academic success, and deepen the bonds of friendship between our countries. The many hard-working women and men of the US mission to India are proud to facilitate their travel and study,” Ambassador Atul Keshap, Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in New Delhi, said.
According to the Mission, tremendous logistical challenges were created by the COVID-19 pandemic for its consular teams.
In normal circumstances, embassies and consulates start interviewing fall semester students in May, which was delayed by two months due to the second wave of the pandemic. After the situation improved in July, the consular teams worked overtime to surpass their pre-COVID workload.
There are more than 4,500 nationally and regionally accredited colleges and universities in the US.
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