VISA SERVICES

Applying for a Visa: A Step-by-Step Guide
Please use the summary and detailed step-by-step guide provided below to assist you throughout the non-immigrant visa application process.

Emergency appointments are available for urgent travel. 

Summary of the Application Process

Step 1: Pay the application fee & service charge
Step 2: Book an appointment & complete the application forms
Step 3: Report to the U.S. Consulate General for your interview
Step 4: If your visa application is approved and you are issued a visa, your passport will be returned to you via courier

Step 1: Pay the application fee & service charge

Non-immigrant visa applicants must pay an application fee and VFS service charge at designated branches of HDFC Bank.  When you have paid these fees, make sure you obtain a two-page visa fee receipt.  Most officials traveling on government business and officials of international organizations traveling for official purposes are exempt from these fees.   

Further Instructions & Information:

• The application fee and VFS service charge are non-refundable and must be paid by each applicant.
• When you go to a HDFC Bank, bring your passport with you or a photocopy of the bio-data page of the applicant's passport if you are assisting an applicant.
• At the HDFC Bank, the application fee can be paid in cash or by demand draft/HDFC check in favor of the "U.S. Consulate - Visa Fees.”
• At the HDFC Bank, the VFS service charge can be paid in cash or by demand draft/HDFC Bank check in favor of the "HDFC Bank a/c VFS.”
• Demand drafts from co-operative banks will not be accepted.
• Write your complete name and passport number on the back of each demand draft.
• When you purchase your visa fee receipt, use the passport you will use at your visa interview. If your passport will expire in the next 6 to 12 months, you are advised to obtain a new passport before purchasing a visa fee receipt.
• If in the event your passport is lost or expired, you will still have to book your appointment using your old passport number. At the time of your interview the new passport number will be updated in your visa record.
• You must wait two business days after you obtain the visa fee receipt before you can schedule an interview online. 
• The visa fee receipt from HDFC Bank can be used to make an appointment within 1 year from date of issuance.
• The visa fee receipt is void once the interview has taken place, and cannot be used to make a subsequent appointment.
• If you lose your visa fee receipt you must pay the fees again and get a new receipt.
• The VFS service charge covers on-line or phone-in information, assistance with making appointments and return by courier of passports with new visas.
• Indian citizens physically present in the U.S. may pay the visa fees in the following manner:  Fax a copy of your passport’s bio-data page to the person assisting you in India. That person will submit the fax to a designated branch of the HDFC Bank, pay the visa application fee and VFS service charge and obtain the Visa Fee Receipt.

Step 2: Book an appointment & complete the application forms

You can book a visa interview appointment online two business days after you receive your visa fee receipt.  Log onto the VFS website and click on the Apply for a Nonimmigrant Visa link. Please have your two-page visa fee receipt on hand; you need it to schedule your appointment. As part of the online booking process, you are required to print your appointment letter and complete and print forms DS-156, DS-157 (if applicable) and DS-158 (if applicable).

Step 3: Report to the U.S. Consulate General for your interview

Bring the printed appointment letter, the visa application forms, one recent photograph and the original HDFC Bank fee receipt with its two barcode stickers to the interview.  Applications without an original HDFC Bank receipt or with an incorrect photograph will NOT be accepted. 

On the day of your visa appointment, come to the Consulate General front gate on Chiran Fort Lane. Bring your appointment letter, which has a time for your interview. Do not arrive more than 30 minutes before your appointment. There is no parking available.

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.

Once you enter the Consulate compound, you will be directed where to go. Keep your appointment letter with you. You will need it for your interview.

Step 4: If your visa application is approved and you are issued a visa, your passport will be returned to you via courier.

For all applicants:  If there are no appointments available in your category at the American Consulate General in Hyderabad, the VFS website, as a convenience, will offer you the opportunity to make appointments at either the American Consulate General in Chennai, or the American Embassy in New Delhi.  You are not required to take an interview in either place.  You may wait and check later with VFS to see whether new appointments have opened up at the American Consulate General in Hyderabad.

For more information on the application process:

Applicants can ask for information at any U.S. Visa Application Centre located in 11 cities across India. Detailed information is available online at http://www.vfs-usa.co.in.

The VFS Office in Hyderabad is located across the street from the U.S. Consulate General at:

1-8-313, Second floor
"LINUS"
Chiran Fort Lane
Begumpet, Secunderabad 500 003