O-1 Visa for Indian citizens: Data and Posts
Indian nationals received 1,632 O-1 visas in FY2025, rank 3. Counts by post in India, validity and embassy addresses from State Department sources.
Page reviewed October 30, 2026.
What it is
Indian nationals received 1,632 O-1 visas in fiscal year 2025, which ranks 3 among nationalities and is 8.2% of the 20,015 issued worldwide.
Chennai issued the most of any post in India. The O-1 is a USCIS petition filed by a U.S. sponsor; the embassy interview comes after approval. These figures are our sums of State Department monthly tables, count visas issued abroad, and leave out people who change status inside the U.S.
- O-1 visas, Indian nationals, FY2025
- 1,632Rank 3 of all nationalities, 8.2% of 20,015 worldwide.
- Top issuing post in the country
- Chennai846 O-1 visas issued there in FY2025.
- O visa validity
- 60 monthsMultiple entries; never longer than the approved petition.
- Reciprocity fee
- NoneThe standard visa application fee still applies.
O-1 visas issued to Indian nationals, FY2023 to FY2025
Read these figures with their limits. They are our sums of the State Department's monthly tables of nonimmigrant visas issued by nationality, October to September. They count visas issued at consulates, so they leave out O-1 approvals for people who change status inside the U.S. The O-1 class combines O-1A and O-1B, with no split.
| Fiscal year | O-1 visas issued | Rank by nationality | Share of world O-1 | Change from prior year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2023 | 1,421 | 3 | 7.5% | Not computed |
| FY2024 | 1,567 | 3 | 8.0% | up 10.3% |
| FY2025 | 1,632 | 3 | 8.2% | up 4.1% |
Support staff on O-2 and O-3 visas
In FY2025, 501 O-2 visas (essential support staff) and 573 O-3 visas (spouses and children) were issued to Indian nationals. That is 0.31 O-2 visas for every O-1, against 0.77 worldwide.
Where in India O-1 visas are issued
The mission lists five posts in India. Addresses are as printed on the mission's contact page. Post counts are visas issued at that post to applicants of any nationality, so they are not the same as the nationality totals above.
| Post | O-1 issued FY2023 | O-1 issued FY2024 | O-1 issued FY2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai | 223 | 817 | 846 |
| Mumbai | 351 | 212 | 238 |
| New Delhi | 419 | 175 | 144 |
| Hyderabad | 89 | 136 | 120 |
| Kolkata | 88 | 35 | 43 |
U.S. embassy and consulate addresses in India
Addresses are copied from the U.S. mission's own pages on October 30, 2026. Confirm the address and entrance on your appointment confirmation before travelling.
- Consulate General Chennai, Gemini Circle, Chennai 600 006
- Consulate General Mumbai, C-49, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai 400051
- Embassy New Delhi, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021
- Consulate General Hyderabad, Survey No. 115/1, Financial District, Nanakramguda, Hyderabad, Telangana 500032
- Consulate General Kolkata, 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, Kolkata 700071, West Bengal
Reciprocity and process notes for Indian nationals
The State Department schedule lists O-1, O-2 and O-3 for Indian nationals with no reciprocity fee, 60 months, multiple entries. A footnote says validity may not exceed the approved petition's validity or the months shown, whichever is less.
- The mission's visa page tells applicants to schedule their interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their country of residence or nationality.
- The page lists India-wide visa section closures and a process for expedited appointment requests; check both before booking.
- Visa questions go to support-india@usvisascheduling.com, according to the page.
What we have not confirmed
- Which post handles petition-based O cases, and any O-specific document list. No mission page we read says.
- Appointment wait times, which change often and which we do not publish.
- USCIS approval counts for this nationality. We found no primary figure we could cite.
How this compares with other countries
- United Kingdom: 3,023 O-1 visas in FY2025, rank 1.
- China: 1,771 O-1 visas in FY2025, rank 2.
- Brazil: 1,216 O-1 visas in FY2025, rank 4.
- France: 918 O-1 visas in FY2025, rank 5.
- Mexico: 884 O-1 visas in FY2025, rank 6.
- Germany: 814 O-1 visas in FY2025, rank 7.
- Italy: 745 O-1 visas in FY2025, rank 8.
- Australia: 712 O-1 visas in FY2025, rank 9.
- South Korea: 558 O-1 visas in FY2025, rank 10.
- Spain: 540 O-1 visas in FY2025, rank 11.
- Japan: 442 O-1 visas in FY2025, rank 12.
- O-1 visa for British citizens
- O-1 visa for Chinese citizens
- O-1 visa for Brazilian citizens
- O-1 visa for French citizens
- O-1 visa for Mexican citizens
- O-1 visa for German citizens
- O-1 visa for Italian citizens
- O-1 visa for Australian citizens
- O-1 visa for South Korean citizens
- O-1 visa for Spanish citizens
- O-1 visa for Japanese citizens
How it works
From first call to filed petition
1. Evaluation
You get an honest answer.
We review your background on a 15-minute call and tell you honestly whether you have a strong case, and exactly what evidence would make it stronger. No retainer. No commitment.
2. Strategy
You know exactly what your case looks like.
We build your custom evidence map: which achievements to lead with, which expert letters to commission, and which USCIS criteria your background meets. You see the full picture before we file anything.
3. Preparation
Your petition is built without you lifting a finger.
Our team writes your expert support letters, drafts the legal brief, curates every exhibit, and reviews the full petition before it leaves our hands. You approve. We file.
4. Filing
Filed. You get on with your life.
Your petition is filed at USCIS and we manage every communication from there. For the O-1, filing can take about two weeks once your documents are ready. We handle any RFE at no extra charge.
Common questions
How many O-1 visas are issued to Indian citizens?
1,421 in FY2023, 1,567 in FY2024 and 1,632 in FY2025, by our sums of State Department monthly tables. These count visas issued abroad and exclude change of status inside the U.S.
Which U.S. post in India issues the most O-1 visas?
Chennai, with 846 in FY2025. Post counts include applicants of every nationality.
How long is the O-1 visa valid for Indian citizens?
The State Department lists 60 months, multiple entries with no reciprocity fee, but never longer than the approved petition. The standard visa application fee still applies.
Do I apply for the O-1 at the embassy first?
No. A U.S. sponsor files Form I-129 with USCIS first. The embassy interview comes after the petition is approved.
Is Lando a law firm?
No. Lando is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Petitions are prepared in coordination with licensed U.S. immigration attorneys. For advice about your own situation, speak to a licensed immigration attorney.
Sources
Lando is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Petitions are prepared in coordination with licensed U.S. immigration attorneys.