Islamabad: Indian nationals apply for U.S. non-immigrant visas at approximately twice the per-capita rate of their counterparts in Pakistan and Bangladesh, receiving approvals at nearly double the rate, according to a report by Gallup Pakistan Digital Analytics. The report, which utilizes data from the US Visa Issuance Dashboard, highlights significant discrepancies in visa application and approval rates among these South Asian nations.

According to Gallup Pakistan Digital Analytics, the report analyzed data from the fiscal years 2024 and 2025, comparing adjusted refusal rates and visa issuance per capita for India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The findings reveal that in 2025, India saw 95 applications per 100,000 people, with 74 visas issued, while Pakistan and Bangladesh had 41 and 40 applications, with 20 and 15 visas issued, respectively. The report attributes India’s advantage partly to a lower refusal rate, with Indians getting approved at a rate of 78%, compared to 48% for Pakistan and 39% for Bangladesh.

The report also noted a sharp decline in visa issuance from FY2024 to FY2025 across all three countries, with India experiencing a 48% drop, Pakistan 67%, and Bangladesh 68%. This decline affected Pakistan and Bangladesh’s per-capita application rates more significantly than India’s. The analysis suggests several factors contributing to the application-rate gap, including India’s economic integration with the U.S., the ability of applicants to demonstrate financial capacity, and process familiarity due to established consular networks.

The study emphasizes the structural advantage for populations with greater mobility to work and study in the U.S., suggesting long-term benefits that extend across generations. The report is published by the Gilani Research Foundation.