Surge in H-1 Visa Applications: India Exceeds Pre-Pandemic Levels

Visa applications from India have significantly surpassed pre-COVID levels, marking a new milestone in 2024. According to VFS Global, the first half of 2024 (January to June) saw a 2% increase in visa applications compared to the same period in 2019. When compared to the first half of 2023, there was an even more substantial 11% rise.

This growing trend in visa applications is expected to continue, especially as India’s travel season has extended over the past two years. Experts predict that this strong demand will persist through the rest of the year, indicating a robust recovery in international travel.

Popular travel destinations such as the USA, Canada, the UK, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland have witnessed a notable rise in visa applications from Indian travelers.

VFS Global has also reported a surge in the demand for its "visa at your doorstep" service, which enables applicants to submit their visa requests from the comfort of their homes. This service saw a 16% increase in bookings in the first half of 2024 compared to the previous year, and a remarkable fivefold increase compared to 2019. This service is currently available for 16 countries, including Austria, France, Germany, and the UK.

This upward trend in visa applications reflects the strong desire of Indians to resume international travel, surpassing even the pre-pandemic levels.