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Applying for a Visa
All nonimmigrant visa applicants must follow these steps in order to apply for a US Visa and to schedule a visa Interview:
Step 1: All nonimmigrant visa applicants except "Officials travelling on government business" and "Officials of international organisation travelling for official purpose" must pay the Application Fee and VFS Service' Charge at a designated branch of HDFC bank before applying for a visa.
Step 2: Log on to the website http://www.vfs-usa.co.in and click on the Apply for a Non-immigrant Visa link once the fees are paid. You will need to use the barcode number from your HDFC Bank Fee Receipt in order to schedule an appointment. You will be required to fill the forms DS-156 and DS-157 and DS-158 (if applicable) at that time. You will have to wait 48 hours after paying the fee before you can book an appointment.
Step 3: Report to the US Embassy or Consulate where your appointment for a visa interview is scheduled. You will need to bring the printed Appointment Letter, the Visa Application Forms, one recent photograph, the original HDFC Bank Fee Receipt with its two barcode stickers, and a Demand Draft for the Issuance Fee of $50 (Rs. 2300 at the current exchange rate) to the interview.
Step 4: If you are issued a visa, your passport will be returned to you via courier.
Applicants can seek information at any US Visa Application Centre located in 12 cities across India. For more information about Visas to the United States, or to make an appointment for a Visa using the new VFS system, please visit http://www.vfs-usa.co.in
Bring the following documents to your scheduled interview:
· A passport valid as of the date of entry into the U.S. (persons whose passports will expire in less than 6 months after their entry into the United States should renew their passports before applying for a visa.)
· A completed and signed Visa Application Form - DS-156
· A completed and signed Supplemental Application Form - DS-157
· Appointment Letter
· HDFC Bank Fee Receipt with two bar code stickers
· Demand draft for the issuance fee
· In addition to the above forms, if you are applying for a F-1, M-1 and J-1 visa, you must submit a completed and signed application form DS-158
· One recent (within the past six months) passport size photograph 50mm X 50mm (2" x 2") with a white or off-white background. Please click here for photo requirements.
Important things to remember when filling out application forms:
 Respond to all the questions. If you have no response for a question, put "none" or "nil" - do not draw a line or write "NA" or "not applicable"
You must provide specific contact and address information both in India and the United States. Applications with responses such as "any hotel" as the address in the U.S. will be rejected for additional information.
The applicant must sign the application, even if someone else fills it out.
All applicants are personally responsible and accountable for the answers on their application forms, regardless of who fills out the forms.
When applying for tourist or business visitor's visa you should also bring documents that you think will help establish your financial ability to travel, your business connections either in India or the US, and other social or economic ties which will serve to compel your return to India after a limited visit to the United States. Please refer to specific documentary requirements for students, exchange visitors, temporary works and other specific types of visas.
Due to security concerns and space limitations the Embassy does not permit interested parties such as friends, relatives or business contacts to intervene on behalf of a nonimmigrant visa applicant during an interview. If any such party wishes to present facts to the Embassy concerning a particular visa case, they are encouraged to supply this information directly to the applicant, which that person can then bring in. Letters sent to the consular section in anticipation of applications are seldom available to the interviewing officer at the time the applicant appears.
Important: Submit only valid Documents. Fraud or misrepresentation can result in permanent ineligibility for a nonimmigrant visa.
Visa fees
Nonimmigrant Visa fees are as follows:
Nonimmigrant visa application fee (non-refundable)
RS. 4600
(To be paid at a designated branch of HDFC Bank before applying for a US Visa.) Please visit http://www.vfs-usa.co.in for payment procedure.
Nonimmigrant visa issuance fee
(paid only upon issuance- does not apply to student,
exchange visitor, transit or crewman visas.)
RS. 2300
(Visa issuance fee is payable only via Demand Draft drawn on a national or international bank. The draft should favor the "American Embassy, New Delhi" and is to be submitted along with the visa application.)
VFS Service Fee
RS. 276
(To be paid at a designated branch of HDFC Bank before applying for a US Visa.) Please visit http://www.vfs-usa.co.in for payment procedure.
Important: Please write your complete name and passport number on the back of each draft.
Location of the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and U.S. Consulates in India
The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy, New Delhi, is located on Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. All individuals who need to appear at the embassy for visas matters should report to Gate 6 (Visa Gate), located on Nyaya Marg.
NOTE: Applicants making their application should visit the Consular Office responsible for the consular district in which they live. If you are not sure where you need to apply, click here for a listing of our consular districts.
Hindi and Punjabi Speakers
Many persons apply in English, which is the language spoken by all Consular officers. However, we have Consular Officers and interpreters on staff that speak Hindi and Punjabi. A language limitation should not be an obstacle in your interview.
Contact Information:
Nonimmigrant visa information is available by phone at 5222-0000 or email to info@vfs-usa.co.in
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