United States of America Embassy Guide

The New System for US Visa in India

Article Updated on - 1 Oct 2007

The U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulates General in Mumbai, Chennai and Calcutta are pleased to announce a new agreement with VFS to provide visa applicants throughout India with information, appointments, and courier services. VFS, which is currently offering a similar service for the Mumbai consular district, will become the sole provider of visa services to all applicants for U.S. visas in India as of October 3.

The decision to expand relationship with VFS was based on the cost savings they are offering to US visa applicants. The newcost for U.S. visa related services in India will decrease to Rs 276 (including taxes) per applicant for appointments booked starting October 3, for on-line or phone-in information, assistance with making appointments, and for the return by courier of passports with new visas.

It is important for all visa applicants to note that the new visa service system will still require each applicant to pay the standard non-immigrant visa application fee of $100 (Rs 4,400 at the current exchange rate) BEFORE booking an appointment. The visa application fee is non-refundable and may not be transferred to any other visa applicant, except with special permission from the Embassy.

To facilitate this program, the Embassy has expanded its existing relationship with Bank of America, which will collect the fee at a number of locations throughout India through its partner bank, HDFC Bank. The visa application fee, which must be paid before making an appointment, may only be paid at a designated branch of HDFC Bank. To find out the names and addresses of all authorized HDFC branch in India, please contact our visa section at GeTS (Global e Travel Solutions).
The new visa service system, which incorporates the pre-payment of the non-refundable, non-transferable visa application fee, is expected to decrease the time visa applicants must wait for an interview by encouraging only those applicants who will actually appear for an interview to make an appointment.