50% Tariff Kicks In: Indian Tourists Also Face Visa Hurdles

The impact of the US tariff and policy measures on India is not limited to goods. Indian tourists are also beginning to feel the pinch, as visa approvals from the US have started slipping since March this year.

According to data, the number of tourist visas granted to Indians fell 7% in April–May 2025 compared with the same period last year. This slowdown comes at a time when overall outbound travel demand is rebounding after pandemic disruptions.

Visa Approvals on a Decline

In March 2025, the US had issued more than 97,000 visas to Indian travellers, but since then, the approvals have seen a steady decline.

• In April 2025, Indian travellers secured 91,710 US tourist visas, down 9.6% from a year earlier.

• In May 2025, approvals slipped further by 5%, to 90,859 visas.

• Overall, Indians received 182,569 visas in April–May 2025, compared with 196,983 in April–May 2024.

This clearly signals tightening scrutiny or capacity constraints at US consulates.

Also Read: HDFC Bank Share Price Adjustment: Understanding the Apparent 50% Drop

Regional Comparison

While India still remains the largest recipient of US tourist visas in South Asia by volume, the decline contrasts with other regions.

• China (Mainland): Approvals rose sharply from 126,111 to 165,066.

• Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, and Vietnam saw noticeable drops.

• Colombia, Dominican Republic, and Guatemala recorded increases.

This contrast highlights how India’s fall in approvals is not a global pattern, but a country-specific tightening.

What It Means for Travellers

The decline in approvals comes against the backdrop of heightened 50% tariffs on Indian goods and strained trade relations between New Delhi and Washington. For Indian tourists, this could mean:

• Longer waiting times for visa interviews and processing.

• Stricter scrutiny of applications.

• Uncertainty in travel planning for leisure and business purposes.

In 2024, the US had issued over 1 million non-immigrant visas to Indians, a milestone achieved for the second time. The recent decline now raises questions about whether this upward trend can be sustained.

Key Insights:

• US tourist visas for Indians fell 7% in April–May 2025.

• March 2025 saw over 97,000 approvals, but numbers have since slipped.

• China bucks the trend, recording higher approvals.

• India still leads in South Asia, but scrutiny on travellers has intensified.

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