From last Wednesday, the U.S. visa processing system was modified to simplify fee payment and appointment scheduling through a new website ‘www.ustraveldocs.com/in ’.
Visa applicants will be able to fill out application forms, find out what documents are required, pay visa application fees, schedule an appointment for biometrics collection and schedule an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate through website.
Also, applicants will now be able to have their questions answered via telephone, email or online chat. The call centre agents will answer questions in English, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Punjabi and Gujarati from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. between Monday to Friday and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. There is no fee for calling the call centre. Applicants can also email in English or Hindi or chat directly through the new website during call centre hours. Applicants will have the option of paying their visa application fees by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) or with a mobile phone. Visa applicants will be able to pay in cash at more than 1,800 Axis Bank branches. Within one hour of payment, applicants will receive an SMS message letting them know that their receipt has been activated and they can proceed with scheduling their appointments.
Further, companies and travel agents are allowed to purchase multiple fee receipts for group travel. Applicants will be able to schedule their appointments online through ‘www.ustraveldocs.com/in’ or by calling the call centre. The new system also accommodates the scheduling of group and emergency appointments. First time applicants will need to schedule two appointments - one for fingerprint collection and one for a consular interview. Prior to their visa interviews, applicants will have to schedule two interviews, the first to visit an Offsite Facilitation Centre to submit their fingerprints and a photo and the second to attend an interview at the consulate.
My passport is valid through 2013 and my B1 visa is valid up to 2017. After I renew my passport can I travel to the U.S. on business? Jilani Khaja Gulam As long as your U.S. visa is valid, you may use it for travel to the United States, even if it is in your old, cancelled passport. Make sure you take both passports with you and present both to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officer at the U.S. port of entry. The officer will determine how long you can stay in the U.S. I recently took the GRE but did not receive my score card. Can I attend my visa interview with an online copy from my ETS account? Ranjith Chalavadhi If you do not have the original GRE score report, you can bring the online print-out. You should be prepared to explain to the officer for not carrying the official score report.
My first name in my passport was misspelt. When I applied for a B1/B2 visa it was approved with the name as written in the passport. Now my passport is due for renewal and I want to correct the error. My query is when I apply for a visa in the future what name do I mention in the visa application? Vijay The name on the passport and the name on the visa must match. When you get your new passport you need to apply for a new visa that reflects the correct spelling. Can you please guide me on how to re-apply for a tourist visa? Do I have to go to a consulate in person or is there any other process? Lakshmi Narayana Chunduri There is an exciting new Interview Waiver Program that makes renewing a visa much simpler for many people. Visit VFS website at ‘www.ustraveldocs.com/in ’ and complete the questionnaire to see if you may qualify.
There are no specific required documents for B1/B2 applicants other than documents listed at http://hyderabad. usconsulate.gov/ visa_services/ required-documents.html. I have a valid H4 visa, but if my passport is valid for less than six months will I be allowed into the U.S.? Will I be able to renew my passport in the U.S.?
Shashidhar Reddy The validity on your passport must be at least 6 months beyond your intended period of stay in the USA. Otherwise, we recommend renewing of passport and carrying both passports (including your U.S. visa) when you travel.
Visa applicants will be able to fill out application forms, find out what documents are required, pay visa application fees, schedule an appointment for biometrics collection and schedule an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate through website.
Also, applicants will now be able to have their questions answered via telephone, email or online chat. The call centre agents will answer questions in English, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Punjabi and Gujarati from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. between Monday to Friday and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. There is no fee for calling the call centre. Applicants can also email in English or Hindi or chat directly through the new website during call centre hours. Applicants will have the option of paying their visa application fees by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) or with a mobile phone. Visa applicants will be able to pay in cash at more than 1,800 Axis Bank branches. Within one hour of payment, applicants will receive an SMS message letting them know that their receipt has been activated and they can proceed with scheduling their appointments.
Further, companies and travel agents are allowed to purchase multiple fee receipts for group travel. Applicants will be able to schedule their appointments online through ‘www.ustraveldocs.com/in’ or by calling the call centre. The new system also accommodates the scheduling of group and emergency appointments. First time applicants will need to schedule two appointments - one for fingerprint collection and one for a consular interview. Prior to their visa interviews, applicants will have to schedule two interviews, the first to visit an Offsite Facilitation Centre to submit their fingerprints and a photo and the second to attend an interview at the consulate.
My passport is valid through 2013 and my B1 visa is valid up to 2017. After I renew my passport can I travel to the U.S. on business? Jilani Khaja Gulam As long as your U.S. visa is valid, you may use it for travel to the United States, even if it is in your old, cancelled passport. Make sure you take both passports with you and present both to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officer at the U.S. port of entry. The officer will determine how long you can stay in the U.S. I recently took the GRE but did not receive my score card. Can I attend my visa interview with an online copy from my ETS account? Ranjith Chalavadhi If you do not have the original GRE score report, you can bring the online print-out. You should be prepared to explain to the officer for not carrying the official score report.
My first name in my passport was misspelt. When I applied for a B1/B2 visa it was approved with the name as written in the passport. Now my passport is due for renewal and I want to correct the error. My query is when I apply for a visa in the future what name do I mention in the visa application? Vijay The name on the passport and the name on the visa must match. When you get your new passport you need to apply for a new visa that reflects the correct spelling. Can you please guide me on how to re-apply for a tourist visa? Do I have to go to a consulate in person or is there any other process? Lakshmi Narayana Chunduri There is an exciting new Interview Waiver Program that makes renewing a visa much simpler for many people. Visit VFS website at ‘www.ustraveldocs.com/in ’ and complete the questionnaire to see if you may qualify.
There are no specific required documents for B1/B2 applicants other than documents listed at http://hyderabad. usconsulate.gov/ visa_services/ required-documents.html. I have a valid H4 visa, but if my passport is valid for less than six months will I be allowed into the U.S.? Will I be able to renew my passport in the U.S.?
Shashidhar Reddy The validity on your passport must be at least 6 months beyond your intended period of stay in the USA. Otherwise, we recommend renewing of passport and carrying both passports (including your U.S. visa) when you travel.
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