Today marks the U.S. Mission in India’s fifth annual Student Visa Day, an event that celebrates higher education ties between India and the United States. The Mission dedicates this day to helping qualified Indian students prepare for their studies in the United States and connects them with EducationUSA – a network of U.S.-sponsored advising centers dedicated to helping students find the right U.S. university and navigate the application process.
The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, and Consulates General in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai, welcomed more than 4,000 Indian students applying for visas to study in the United States. Chargé d’Affaires (CDA) MaryKay Carlson in New Delhi and Consuls General throughout India congratulated the day’s applicants as they joined the growing ranks of Indian students who choose to study in the United States at the world’s leading academic institutions.
In 2018, more than 196,000 Indian students were enrolled in U.S. institutions of higher education; more than double the number of students from a decade ago. India is the second-leading place of origin for students coming to the United States and Indians represent over 17 percent of the total international student population in the United States.
“The United States offers a warm welcome to all international students,” remarked CDA Carlson. “International students on U.S. campuses strengthen America’s knowledge base and capacity for innovation, and foster future business and other ties. International educational exchanges create an understanding of new viewpoints and cultures, which is necessary as students enter an increasingly competitive global marketplace.”
The U.S. Embassy and Consulates General welcomed Student Visa Day applicants with an informative and celebratory atmosphere. Consular staff members wore shirts and hats from their own alma maters. Some consulates invited guest alumni speakers, while others had a video or “selfie” station. Representatives from partners – including EducationUSA and the American Library – and recent U.S. graduates shared insights and answered students’ questions about life and studying in the United States.
To give Indian students easy access to official, credible, and comprehensive information on navigating the U.S. higher education admission process, the U.S. Embassy launched the EducationUSA India mobile application. This free app helps Indian students and parents get answers, track progress and connect with EducationUSA advisers and resources at the touch of a button.
