2009 India Press Releases

CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Hyderabad, India

---

For Immediate Release                                                        March 4, 2009

U.S. CONSULATE GENERAL BEGINS ISSUING VISAS

Provides Full Services for Indians and Americans from Tomorrow

U.S. Consul General Cornelis M. Keur proclaimed the Consulate General in Hyderabad “open for consular services” as of March 4, 2009.  The Consular Section is now accepting visa interview appointments for those wishing to travel to the United States.  Full consular services for American citizens are also available.  The Consul General stated that his well-trained staff would begin conducting 100 visa interviews a day -- a number scheduled to increase to 400 per day by the end of April.
 
Visa applicants and American citizens are now spared the lengthy and costly journey to Chennai.  Residents of Andhra Pradesh who wish to schedule a visa interview appointment should log on to VFS at http://www.vfs-usa.co.in.  Appointments will be scheduled by date and time.  Applicants will need to state the objective of their travel:  pleasure, business, studies, employment or other.  On the day of the appointment, applicants should arrive no more than half an hour before the scheduled time.  For more information see http://hyderabad.usconsulate.gov.

The Consulate General in Hyderabad will serve applicants from the State of Andhra Pradesh.  Residents of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu should continue to apply at the Consulate General in Chennai.
 
Visa interviews are brief, yet thorough, and are conducted to establish whether the traveler is eligible.  Applicants should be prepared to explain why they wish to travel and state their exact plans.  They should provide all supporting information to document their eligibility for the visa.  More information about eligibility can be found at http://hyderabad.usconsulate.gov/refusals.html.

The American Citizen Services Unit (ACS) provides assistance, both routine and emergency, for American citizens, whether they are long-term residents of India or visiting for business or vacation.  The Consulate General can help in a variety of ways – replacing passports, providing notarial services, preparing Consular Reports of Birth Abroad and other services.  A full list of services can be found at http://hyderabad.usconsulate.gov/acs.html.

The ACS Unit is open for routine consular services from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding official holidays.  Routine consular services do not require an appointment.  Americans residing or traveling abroad are encouraged to register their presence in India and can do so on the Consulate General’s website.

For further questions not addressed on the website, contact the Consular Section at HydNIV@State.gov.