Visa Process

Step 1: Pay the Fees Non-immigrant visa applicants must pay a $131 (Rs 6550) visa fee and a courier fee of Rs 387 (inclusive of taxes) at an HDFC Bank. You will receive a receipt with two yellow barcode stickers. Save this receipt. You will need it for Step 3.

Step 2: Complete the Application Forms Step 3: One color passport size photo (2 in x 2 in)

Step 4: Schedule and Appointment After paying the fee and reviewing the application form(s), log on to http://www.vfs-usa.co.in and click on the Apply for a Non-immigrant Visa link. You will need to use the barcode number from your HDFC Bank Fee Receipt in order to schedule an appointment. You will have to wait 48 hours after paying the fee before you can book an appointment. Once the appointment is booked, print out the appointment letter. Before your appointment is confirmed, you will be required to fill out the forms DS-156 and DS-157 and DS-158 (if applicable) at that time.

Step 5: Carry the Following Documents with You Bring the following documents to your scheduled interview: •

A passport valid as of the date of entry into the U.S. (Persons whose passports which will expire in less than 6 months after their entry into the United States should renew their passports before applying for a visa.)

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A completed and signed EVAF DS-156 visa application form (application can be downloaded while booking appointments online through VFS)

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A completed and signed form DS-157 if necessary (application can be downloaded while booking appointments online through VFS)

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Appointment letter

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HDFC Bank fee receipt with two yellow barcode stickers

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One recent (within the past six months) passport size photograph 50mm X 50mm (2" x 2") with a white or off-white background.

VFS Services What is VFS? VFS serves two major functions for the U.S. Mission in India. 1. They schedule our appointments. For more information on scheduling, click here. 2. They act as a courier. Some examples: If you are asked by an officer during your interview to supply more documents, you will drop them off at a VFS office/Drop Box for delivery to us. If your visa is approved, VFS will deliver your passport to you.

3. Schedule of Fees Please note that all telephone inquiries for VFS should be directed to the Southern Regional Helpline at: 044-4231-6767. VFS office working hours: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. VFS Offices in Southern India Bangalore No. 30, Scotts Annexe Infantry Road Bangalore 560 001 Chennai VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd U.S. Visa Application Center Old no. 14, new no. 4, Sadasivam street Gopalapuram Chennai – 600 086 Hyderabad 1-8-313, Second floor "LINUS" Chiran Fort Club Lane Begumpet Hyderabad 500016 (Across street from HUDA Office. NOT at site of future U.S. Consulate. Look for large white office building). PLEASE NOTE: Applicants submitting documents in Hyderabad must submit the additional documents only at the Hyderabad VFS office and not at the site of future U.S. Consulate General, Hyderabad, India. Kochi 3C, South Point Hinton Chittoor Road Near Kasba Police Station Kacheripady, Ernakulam 682018 The Courier System

With the courier system, successful applicants do not have to return to the Consulate to collect their passports. The passport with visa will be returned to any address in Southern India specified by the applicant. This process substantially reduces the total time people spend in visa lines, and the passport is delivered promptly to the successful applicant. Optionally, applicants may avail the Counter Passport Collection to collect their passport across the counter at the VFS office in Chennai. Call on our help line 044-42316767 or SMS at “VISA US [passport number]” to 7333 and check for status before visiting the center to avail the Counter Passport Collection. The Counter Passport Collection is between 4.00pm and 5.00pm at the below address and the applicants can avail the service at no extra charge. Passports not collected across the counter will be immediately couriered to the delivery address intimated by the applicant at the time of scheduling the interview appointment. The passport will be delivered within 3-4 working days after handing over to the courier. Address of VFS ‘Counter Passport Collection' center in Chennai: VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd U.S. Visa Application Center Old no. 14, new no. 4, Sadasivam street Gopalapuram Chennai – 600 086 Counter Passport Collection: 1600 – 1700hrs. For General Information email us at mailto: [email protected] or VFS Regional Helpline no: 044-42316767. Revised VFS Service Charges Starting from October 10, 2008 VFS service charge payable at Rs.374/- (inclusive of HDFC taxes) Rs.180/- (inclusive of Fee for 221(g) cases taxes) Rs.359/- (inclusive of Fee for Visa correction taxes) Rs. 180 - (inclusive of No Show Cases taxes) Rs. 359 - (inclusive of Referral Cases taxes) All the above charges are inclusive of 12.36% service tax. All applicants intending to apply for a visa pay the courier fee of Rs 387/- (inclusive of taxes) at the HDFC bank along with the MRV fee of Rs 6943/-