VISA SERVICES

Frequently Asked Questions

Applicants should queue in front of the Consulate General gate no more than 30 minutes prior to the time listed on their appointment letter. Applicants appearing more than 30 minutes in advance will be asked to leave and return at the appropriate time.

What does the interviewing officer look for?

In general, the Consular Officer will look for evidence you will return to India at the end of a temporary stay in the United States.

Section 214(b) of the United States Immigration and Nationality Act states that: "Every alien shall be presumed to be an immigrant until he establishes to the satisfaction of the consular officer, at the time of application for a visa that he is entitled to non-immigrant status." This means that most visa applicants must convince the Consular Officer of the following:

That the applicant intends to return to his or her home in India following a temporary stay in the United States;
That the applicant’s financial situation is such that he or she can afford the trip without having to seek unauthorized employment in the U.S.; and
That applicant’s purpose of travel is for purposes permitted by the applicant's visa category.

Applicants overcome this presumption of immigrant intent by showing that their overall circumstances, including social, family, economic and other ties to India, will compel them to leave the U.S. at the end of a temporary visit or study. "Ties" are the various aspects of life that bind you to India, such as your family relationships, employment and possessions. In the case of younger applicants who may not have had an opportunity to establish such ties, the Consular Officer may consider educational status, school grades and long-range plans in India.

The Consulate General requires some documents and suggests others in order to help the Consular Officer get the most complete understanding of your case. Each person's situation is different and there is no single interview answer or document that shows compelling ties to India.

A decision on your visa application is based more on the interview than on documents. The information on this website provides guidance to help you provide the Consular Officer with the best information so that you may get the fairest interview. There is never a guarantee that any applicant will have their application approved.

How do I arrange an individual interview?

See the page on applying for a visa.

There are no interview slots available for the next few days and I need to travel urgently. Can I attend the interview without an appointment?

No, you need to schedule an appointment. This requirement cannot be waived. You may ask for an expedited appointment by writing to HydNIV@state.gov. We will not expedite appointments for routine travel, vacations or routine business.

Does my minor child need an interview?

The application process is the same for any applicant, regardless of age. Even minor children need their own appointment. However, the minor child(ren) must be accompanied to the interview by a parent or guardian. Guardians must be able to document that they have legal custody of the minor child applicant.

Can I make a group appointment?

Family members (principal applicant and dependents) can schedule appointments in the same time slot via VFS. In fact, the Consulate General prefers that your spouse and/or children attend the same interview with you even if they plan to travel separately at a later date. However, each H-1B visa applicant needs a separate appointment (even married couples who each have an H-1B).

Is there any preference given when adjudicating visa applications?

Visas are adjudicated individually, and each applicant is evaluated on his/her own merits. There is no preference given for any group of applicants, be they students, parents visiting children or businesspeople going to conferences.

Can I bring anyone with me to the interview?

Only applicants who might not otherwise be able to travel to the Consulate General on their own, such as those who are wheelchair-bound or vision-impaired, can bring someone with them. Those who speak only non-Indian languages may be able to bring translators. Please contact us by e-mail the day before your interview and send us the name of the person who you are asking to be granted permission as a translator. In all cases, the person accompanying the applicant must carry a government-issued photo identification.

What personal items can I bring with me to the interview?

The only items you should have with you are your passport, application, supporting documents and absolutely necessary personal items. Please note that the following items are NOT permitted inside the Consulate General: mobile phones, electronic personal digital assistants, cameras, audio or video recording devices, lap top computers, portable music players, travel bags, back packs, brief cases, suit cases, cosmetics (including but not limited to spray perfume/cologne and talcum/baby powder), bottles of any kind, food items, and any sealed envelopes or packages. Security staff may prohibit other items you bring with you. The Consulate General cannot store prohibited items for you. If you bring prohibited items with you, you will have to dispose of them before entry.

I already have a valid visa, do I need to come in for fingerprinting?

No. If you already hold a visa, you need not come to the Consulate General for fingerprinting. You may travel as long as your visa is valid.

How long may I stay in the United States?

Your length of stay in the United States is determined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) inspector at the port of entry.

What are the penalties for overstaying?

A non-immigrant who remains in the United States beyond the authorized period of stay or who violates his or her non-immigrant status may become subject to arrest and deportation.

How can I help my friend get a visa?

Applying for a visa can seem complicated at times. Understandably, many individuals may want to help a friend, colleague or family member go through the visa process.

One of the most common misconceptions regarding non-immigrant visas is that someone can act as a sponsor or offer to guarantee a person's return to their home country. We receive many such well-intentioned letters. U.S. immigration law makes no provisions for any such guarantees.

The fundamental rule of applying for a visa is that an applicant must qualify based on his or her own circumstances. If you wish to submit information to us in support of an applicant, please send it directly to the applicant. The applicant can then share it with us during his/her interview, or can include it with his/her documents.

What about the visa refusal quota?

There is no issuance/refusal quota.

I was refused under 214(b). Can I reapply?

If you have been refused under Section 214(b) you may choose to reapply and appear in person for another personal interview. Please be aware, however, that in the absence of any significant change in your situation or new information, it is unlikely that you will be issued a visa.

Please note that if you have been refused under Section 214(b) and you choose to reapply, you will be required to fill out a new application form. In addition, you will also be required to pay the NIV application fee each time you reapply.

Processing is delayed under 221(g). Can I reapply?

Please see our page on Section 221(g) refusals.

I've found another website that gives information about U.S. visas, should I follow their instructions and advice?

The U.S. Consulate General, Hyderabad, does not endorse any non-U.S. government websites. We recommend that individuals follow the instructions available at http://hyderabad.usconsulate.gov, http://www.travel.state.gov and other .gov websites. Following instructions from non-U.S. government websites can lead to expensive and time consuming problems for applicants.

My Blanket L application was suspended under 221g. I was told to apply for an individual L petition. What do I do?

Your company will decide whether to file for an individual L petition for you. Once they do, please contact us by e-mail at HydNIV@state.gov to arrange an appointment.

I lost my visa fee receipt. What do I do?

If you lose your visa fee receipt, you must pay the visa application fee and VFS service charge again and get a new visa fee receipt.

I booked a visa interview appointment using my old passport and now have a new passport. How do I proceed?

Bring your old passport and new passport to your visa interview and inform the Consular Officer.

I already booked a visa interview appointment, but would like to reschedule to an earlier date? What do I do?

First, check the VFS website to see whether an earlier appointment is available. If there is, then you must cancel your current appointment and then book your new appointment in the earlier date.

My wife and I have visa interview appointments for next month, but we have just had a baby. How do we arrange an appointment for our new child?

You do not need to book an appointment for your new child, but you must take the following steps:

Pay the visa application fee and VFS service charge for your child at a designated branch of the HDFC bank.
Complete an E-Visa Application Form DS-156 for your child
Bring your child with you to your visa interview along with the child's mandatory documents and applicable supporting documents. The child's documents must include an original passport, one recent photograph, a completed E-Visa Application Form DS-156 and the two-page visa fee receipt

Note: this exception to standard procedures is only for new children

I need medical treatment in the U.S. What do I do?

If you wish to have medical treatment in the U.S., you will need to establish your purpose of travel, your intention to return to India, and an ability to finance your trip. If the purpose of travel is medical treatment, you will need to demonstrate an ability to pay for the care.

This site is managed by the U.S. Department of State. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.

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