Step-by-step procedure to obtain F-1 (student) visa appointment for USA:
1) It is important to obtain an I-20 from the U.S University that you wish to attend, before you apply for a visa appointment.
The SEVIS tracking number on the top-right of the I-20 is exclusively allotted for you and all I-20s sent to you will come with the same number. Hence, it is very essential to apply for the visa with the I-20 on hand and not with any other SEVIS number. Doing so may cause rejection of the visa application.
Please carry the photocopy of the first page of your passport to the Bank, without fail.
2) Once you have the I-20 on hand, visit the or nearest branch of HDFC Bank to make payment of Rs.4,000 towards visa application fee. The fee can be paid in cash or by D.D, favoring ‘U.S Embassy, Visa Fees’.
3) As on 1st July 2007, Rs. 322 is payable to VFS towards service charges for handling your passport. This amount may be paid by D.D favouring HDFC Bank – a/c VFS or by cash, in designated HDFC branches within respective regions. Please note that these fees are similar for all four consular districts.
Here are the contact details of US Consulates and Embassy for any further information or clarification:
Contact/Website details for applicants from South India:
U.S. Consulate General, Chennai
Gemini Circle, No. 220 Anna Salai
Chennai - 600006
Tel: +91-(0)44-2857-4242 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Fax: +91-(0)44-2857-2027
E-mail: chennainiv@state.gov
Internet: http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/
VFS – South India.
For General Information email us at info@vfs-usa.co.in or Call our regional helpline number at Chennai 044-42316767.
Timings: Application Centre counter timing: - 0800-1300 hours & 1400-1500 hours
Chennai:
Gowthami Towers,
2 A, First Street,
Cenatoph Road,
Teynampet,
Chennai - 600 018.
Bangalore:
102, The Presidency,
1st floor,
St. Marks Road,
Bangalore - 560 025.
Kochi:
3C, South Point Hinton, Chittoor Road,
Near Kasba Police Station, Kacheripady,
Ernakulam - 682018 .
Hyderbad:
Sunil Chambers
1st floor, Road No. 7, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad - 500 034 .
Contact/Website details for applicants from North India:
U.S. Embassy:
Consular Section
U.S. Embassy
Shantipath, Chanakyapuri
New Delhi - 110021
Tel: +91-(0)11-2419-8310 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Fax: +91-(0)11-2419-8407
E-mail: nivnd@state.gov
New Delhi - http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov
VFS:
For General Information email us at infodelhi@vfs-usa.co.in or call on our regional helpline number at New Delhi 011-42220000 and Jalandhar 0181-5041444
Timings: Application Centre counter timing: - 0800-1300 hours & 1400-1500 hours.
Helpline (excluding Punjab): 011-4222-0000
Helpline (Punjab): 0181-504-1444
Email: infodelhi@vfs-usa.co.in
Website: http://www.vfs-usa.co.in
U.S. Visa Application Center – New Delhi
International Trade Tower, S-2 Level,
Nehru Place, New Delhi – 110019
U.S. Visa Application Center – Jalandhar
Ratan Tower, 2nd floor, Namdeo Chowk,
Circuit House Road, Jalandhar – 144001
U.S. Visa Application Center – Chandigarh
SCO-186-187, Sector 8C, Madhya Marg,
Chandigarh – 160009
Contact/Website details for applicants from Western India:
The Mumbai Consular District includes the states of Maharashtra, Chhatisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Daman & Diu, Dadra, and Nagar Haveli.
U.S. Consulate General, Mumbai
Lincoln House, 78 Bhulabhai Desai Road
Mumbai - 400026
Tel: +91-(0)22-2363-7407
Fax: +91-(0)22-2363-0350
E-mail: mumbainiv@state.gov
Internet: http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov/
Inquiries Window: Open from 9:30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., Monday through Friday
VFS:
For General Information email us at infomumbai@vfs-usa.co.in or Call our regional helpline number at Mumbai 022 – 66547600
Timings: Application Centre counter timing: - 0800-1300 hours & 1400-1500 hours
Mumbai:
Tirupati Apartments, Bhulabhai Desai Road, Opp. Mahalakshmi Temple,
Mumbai - 400026.
Ahmedabad:
Gujarat Chambers Building, Shri Ambika Mills, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad - 380009 .
Pune:
106, Sohrab Hall 1st Floor, Sassoon Road, Behind Pune Station Junction,
Pune - 411001 .
Contact/Website details for applicants from Eastern India:
U.S. Consulate General, Kolkata
U.S. Consulate General, Kolkata
5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani
Kolkata - 700071
Tel: +91-(0)33-3984-2400
Fax: +91-(0)33-2282-2335
E-mail: consularkolkata@state.gov
Internet: http://kolkata.usconsulate.gov/
VFS:
For General Information email us at infokolkata@vfs-usa.co.in or Call our regional helpline number at Kolkata 033-22882480
Timings: Application Centre counter timing: - 0800-1300 hours & 1400-1500 hours
Kolkata:
Om Towers, 4th floor,
32 Chowringhee Road Next to Park Street Metro, Kolkatta - 700 071
For more information or applying for visa appointment, visit www.vfs-usa.co.in
New Visa rules/procedures
The US Consulates have implemented the following new rules and procedures, which are specifically applicable for F-1 (student) Visa applicants:
1) The US Dollar exchange rate against the Rupee has been reduced from Rs. 46 to Rs.44. As a result, the application fee will now be Rs. 4,400 only. All the non-immigrant applicants are advised to make payment of Rs. 4,400 to HDFC Bank towards application fee. Please note however, that HDFC Bank’s service charges and VFS fees are separate.
2) The Student Visa applicants from Chennai Consular District must apply for a visa appointment only at the Chennai Consulate only 120 days before the start of semester and not earlier. And, not in any other consulates. Applicants who apply at other consulates will be sent back to Chennai consulate only.
3) For Emergency visa appointments, students can apply only six weeks before the start date as indicated on the I-20 and not before.
4) For scheduling/postponement/pre-ponement and cancellation of appointments, the following procedures and rules are to be followed:
Postponement:
You can move your appointment to a later date only once. To move your appointment to later date a second time, first cancel your current appointment and then book a new appointment.
Preponement:
To move your appointment to an earlier date, cancel your current appointment and then book a new appointment.
Cancellation:
You can cancel your appointment only two times. After the second cancellation your HDFC Visa Fee Receipt is deactivated for 90 calendar days. You will not be able to book another appointment until the 90 days have passed.
Emergency Visa appointment:
To move your appointment to an emergency date you must not cancel your current appointment . When you see the ‘Emergency Appointment’ link in the appointments calendar, click on it and follow the instructions. Book an emergency appointment only if you qualify for one and can provide documentary evidence of the emergency. Penalties apply to those that misuse this system.
Notes:
1. Your HDFC Visa Fee Receipt can be used to book a visa interview appointment and appear within one year from the date of issuance. The Fee Receipt will expire if you do not actually appear for the interview within one year and you will need to buy a new receipt if you still wish to travel to the U.S.
2. You can change or cancel your visa interview appointment up to two business days before your appointment unless your appointment is at the U.S. Consulate General, Mumbai. If your appointment is at the U.S. Consulate General, Mumbai you can change or cancel your appointment up to five business days before the appointment
Of course, Valmiki is always there to guide you through the maze of visa processing, for any country to which we provide our services. For more details on our visa service, click here
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