Recent reports highlight the huge presence of the Telugu community in the United States, particularly in relation to student visas. In 2023, 56% of all Indian visas issued by the US were from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Notably, India has surpassed China as the largest source of international students in the US for the academic year 2023-24.
The states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are accounting for 56% of Indian students heading to the US, with 34% from Telangana and 22% from Andhra Pradesh. Out of approximately 330,000 students who received approval to study in the US last year, around 180,000 hailed from these two states.
In response to the increasing volume of visa applications, the US Consulate in Hyderabad has taken measures to increase its operational capacity by doubling its staff and planning to triple it by early 2025. Currently, they process about 1,600 visas daily, with a goal to increase this number to 2,500 soon.
Interestingly, there has also been a notable rise in American students choosing to study in India. In 2023, enrollments of American students in Indian universities surged by 300% compared to the previous year.