How to apply for US Visa in India?

09 Apr

Posted by news4use as How to

Twice, I was rejected US visa. This year, I again applied and got 10 years multiple entry USA visitors visa. Here are some tips to help you to apply for US Visa.

The main website for US visa application in India is VFS. VFS has visa application centres in New Delhi, Jalandhar,Chandigarh,Chennai, Mumbai,Bangalore, Kochi, Kolkata,Hyderabad,Pune and Ahmedabad. In these centres you can apply and fix USA visa interview.

These are the suggestions, if you are applying US visa online.

1) First you can check the probable dates available for US visa interview in connection with your trip. In this page go the bottom to check the availability. Follow the steps in this page.

2) Pay the US Visa Fees and VFS service charges at designated HDFC branches.

3) You can book the appointment date after two days of paying your fees. You need to have your passport, all travel information and HDFC fee receipt with barcode number to fix the appointment.

4) Before fixing US visa interview date you need to fillup the US visa application forms. So be prepared with all travel details. This site provides details of all the documents needed.

5) The initial screens are little confusing for fixing the US visa appointment. Go to this page and click the link in step two “apply for non immigrant visa”. It will take you another screen which has the fee details, in the bottom Click on the “continue” button. Next screen comes with the question “Do you have a BEP user ID?” click “No”. After this page you will have three links and click on “Create a new application” and then you need to fill the US Visa application forms DS156 and DS157 online.

4) After filling the application,save it and choose the date for your interview. Take a printout of your application forms, Interview appointment letter and instructions. You have to submit the printouts of the application form signed by you at the time of interview. You have to take the printout of DS156 in a single sheet front and back and DS157 in another sheet. Take all the documents, photograph, and passport for the interview.

Here are some tips as you go for the interview

1) You cannot take any electronic items such as MP3 player or mobile phone etc. You can take only the papers in a file and your purse or a small bag. Security will check all the things. When I went there, I saw security guys taking out torch and chewing gums. There is no place in the embassy to keep your valuable things.

2) You can use VFS Stars and Stripes lounge service to keep your things. I used the VFS lounge service in Chennai. It was good, you have to pay Rs.200 per person. You can deposit your valuables there and freshen up or change your dress. You can wait in their AC lounge till the time of your interview. They will take you to the embassy, 10 minutes before your interview and bring you back after the interview. With this facilities you get a Cafe Coffee and a sandwich. Another advantage is that they will check your application forms and keeps the documents in order. If your photo is not in correct specifications, there is facility to get a new one there itself.

2) Reach 10 minutes before your interview time, at the gate show your passport and interview appointment letter, after security check you go inside the hall. First you have to go to counter and they verify your application and take fingerprints of both of your hands. After that they you give the application form and passport in a pouch and send you to the queue for your interview.

3) As you go to meet Visa Officer, greet him/her. Then they may verify again one of your finger print. Follow their directions. The first thing they need to know is the purpose of your travel. Be very clear on this and prepare yourself to convincingly answer the question. In this site, you can read the experiences of visa applicants and the questions Visa Officers normally ask. Keep your other documents like invitation letter etc in order to take it fast. The guy before me was rejected the visa, as he couldn’t find the document. Time is precious for the officer. If you are rejected, the officer may immediately return back the passport or sometimes gives you pink slip and ask you to answer the questions by email. Otherwise it means you got the visa and the visa stamped passport will be delivered through courier.

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