U.S. expecting 10% increase in student visa applications in 2024: Consul General

In an exclusive interview, the Consul General highlighted that in 2023, 25% of all foreign students in the U.S. were Indian

- SIMPLE VISHWAKARMA

The U.S. expects a 10% increase in visa applications from Indians in 2024, Mike Hankey, the Consul General of the U.S. in Mumbai, told The Free Press Journal (FPJ) in an exclusive interview.

This estimate comes after the U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai received more than 1,700 visa applications during the 'Super Saturday Drive' on May 11.

Hankey also shared that the U.S. government is working with universities to take a range of measures to enhance students' safety on the campuses because of the recent incidents of death of Indian students in that country.

FPJ: What is the expected enrollment of Indian students in U.S. universities for 2024?

Hankey: It's difficult to predict the demand for U.S. visas, but we're expecting a 10% increase this year. In the last two years, the number of Indian applicants has been rising.

The largest quotient of international students is from India for the U.S., with 268,000 Indian students.

Last year, more than 25% of all students in the U.S. were Indian. We issued 160,000 student visas last year and expect a higher demand this year. However, we need to see who the applicants are and their reasons for applying before we can make any predictions.

FPJ: What aspects of the U.S. attract Indian students?

Hankey: I think there are various reasons why students enjoy studying in U.S. colleges. Firstly, they get to interact with diverse student community from different parts of the world. Secondly, the college campus experience offers an ideal blend of rigorous academics and extracurricular activities.

Additionally, students can apply their theoretical knowledge in real-life situations, which can help them secure employment opportunities in the future.

FPJ: What is the male-tofemale ratio of students in the U.S.? What are the strategies to boost female applicants?