U.S. Embassy Adjusts Consular Exchange Rate

September 18, 2008

Effective Friday September 19, 2008 the United States consular sections in India will adjust the consular exchange rate from Rs 46/- to the dollar to Rs 48/- to the dollar, thereby increasing all rupee denominated costs of applying for visas and passports at the US Embassy and Consulates General.

Effective September 18, payment of the $131.00 visa application fee at any of the designated branches of the HDFC Bank will require payment of Rs. 6288/-. Receipts issued by HDFC Bank prior to September 18, 2008, that reflect a payment of Rs. 6,026/- will still be honored and there will be no need for a supplemental payment.

July 10, 2008

Effective Friday July 11, 2008 the United States consular sections in India will adjust the consular exchange rate from Rs 44/- to the dollar to Rs 46/- to the dollar, thereby increasing all rupee denominated costs of applying for visas and passports at the US Embassy and Consulates General.

Effective July 11, payment of the $131.00 visa application fee at any of the designated branches of the HDFC Bank will require payment of Rs. 6026/-. Receipts issued by HDFC Bank prior to July 11, 2008, that reflect a payment of Rs. 5,764/- will still be honored and there will be no need for a supplemental payment.

USA - New Visa Fees for students and other non-Immigrants:

Effective 1st January 2008, the non-immigrant Visa application fee for USA has been increased to US $ 131, from the present $ 100. Depending upon the Rupee value at the time of advisement by the US Consulates, the Visa application fee could be Rs. 5,240 when calculated at Rs.40 per one Dollar. This fee increase is applicable to all categories of Non-immigrant visas, including Student (F-1) visas.

The US High Commission in New Delhi has informed that the increase of visa application fee was necessitated due to the increase in costs associated with the processing of visa applications.