U.S. Visa Specimen | Pinterest
NEW YORK – Nearly a record number of nonimmigrant visas, more than 10 million globally, from October 2022 through September 2023, were issued, according to a U.S. Department of State report. “Half of the U.S. embassies and consulates adjudicated more nonimmigrant visas than ever before,” the report said.
In addition, nearly eight million visitor visas for business and tourism were issued, more than in any fiscal year since 2016. In preparing Americans for a global environment and attracting future leaders from abroad, the Department issued more than 600,000 student visas, the highest in any year since 2017. International students at U.S. colleges and universities inject up to $38 billion annually into the U.S. economy.
A breakdown of student visas issued from the following countries:
- India – 140,000 (a record)
- Nigeria – 9,700 (part of nearly 40,000 African students)
In terms of bolstering national and economic security, where in recent years, international visitors have contributed as much as $239 billion in annual spending to the U.S. economy and supported an estimated 9.5 million American jobs, the Department issued:
- A record-breaking 442,000 visas to temporary and seasonal workers, addressing the need for workers in agricultural and other sectors where too few U.S. workers are available, contributing to the American economy while addressing the root causes of irregular migration;
- 590,000 nonimmigrant visas to high-skilled workers and executives to work alongside American experts in some of the U.S.’s most critical fields, ranging from emerging technology to healthcare;
- 365,000 nonimmigrant visas to airline and shipping crew members, essential for maintaining global transportation and the supply chains supporting the U.S. and global economies.
The Department also said that these achievements were possible in preparing for the future and investing in innovation because of innovative solutions such as expanding interview waiver authorities that allow frequent travelers who meet strict national security standards to renew their visas without visiting an embassy or consulate. In looking to the future, it is exploring new technologies to assess opportunities to streamline operations, such as the option of domestic renewal in select visa categories.
The Department commits itself to facilitating legitimate travel to the United States while maintaining high national security standards. “International visitors are instrumental in building people-to-people ties and bring enormous economic benefits to local communities and key sectors of the U.S. economy,” it said. “America is open for business, and U.S. visa operations support the nation daily.”
–With Ricky Rillera
