How to Obtain a U.S. Visa From India
- 1). Go to HDFC Bank and pay the US Visa Application Fee ($ 131, as of Apr 2009) payable in INR, and calculated at an equivalent consular exchange rate. You may pay this amount in cash, draw a demand draft (DD) or write a HDFC Bank check in favor of 'US Embassy-Visa Fees'.
- 2). Pay the service charge of Rs 374, in cash or DD/HDFC Bank Cheque favoring 'HDFC Bank a/c VFS'. The fee receipt gets activated 2 business days from the date of issue. You will need the bar code on the receipt to proceed further. You will need the first page of your passport for identification purposes for this step. If you live abroad and someone in India is assisting you in the U.S. visa application process, fax the front page of your passport to that person before he goes in to pay the fee.
- 3). Apply for a Non-immigrant Visa. The New Delhi US Embassy website will lead you to a page where you must choose one of the following options: create a new application, modify a saved application or download details of a confirmed appointment. Click on the "Create New Application" option and read the terms and conditions before clicking "I Agree."
- 4). Furnish details pertaining to your state and country of residence, the purpose of your travel (business, work or tourist), the language in which you wish to be interviewed and the type of visa you wish to obtain.
- 5). Choose a date and venue for your interview from the options available. Remember that your visa fee receipt is valid for one interview appearance, within 365 days from the day of issue. Once you have scheduled and confirmed an appointment, you will see an appointment letter that confirms your interview date and time. Print it and save it along with your other visa application documents. If you are scheduling an interview at the Mumbai Consulate, then you will need to submit your documents and photograph at either the Mumbai, Pune or Ahmedabad application centers at least three business days (four, in case of Pune and Ahemdabad) ahead.
- 6). Arrive at the US Embassy or Consulate about 20 to 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment. Remember to take along your appointment letter, visa application forms, a recent photograph that meets the visa application photo requirements, the original HDFC Bank fee receipt with two bar code stickers and any other documents relevant to your visa application process or that validate your purpose of travel to the U.S. such as sponsorship letters from relatives or a "No Objection" certificate from your employer.
- 7). After your interview, if you have been issued a U.S. visa, you can choose to receive your passport in the mail with the newly issued visa stamped on it or you can choose to pick it up at the Consulate at a later time the same day.
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