Sun Jan 12 15:03:11 UTC 2025: ## US to Open Consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad to Meet Soaring Visa Demand
**New Delhi, India** – The United States will open new consulates in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad, India, to address the rising demand for US visas. The Bengaluru consulate is slated to open in January 2025, fulfilling a promise made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his 2023 US visit. The Ahmedabad consulate will follow later in the year.
This expansion comes in response to a significant increase in visa applications from India. The new consulates aim to streamline the visa application process for Indian students, professionals, and entrepreneurs, reducing the burden on existing consulates in cities like Chennai and Hyderabad. The move is particularly significant for Bengaluru, a major technology hub contributing approximately 40% of India’s software industry. The new consulate will significantly ease visa processing for tech workers traveling to the US.
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, who has been advocating for the Bengaluru consulate for several years, lauded the decision, highlighting the city’s crucial role in Indo-US relations. He credited persistent efforts and Prime Minister Modi’s push for the consulate’s establishment on a reciprocal basis.
The opening of the new consulates is expected to boost bilateral trade and cooperation between the US and India, particularly in the technology and innovation sectors.
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