NONIMMIGRANT VISAS
Frequently Asked Questions
Click on a topic below.
Visa Fees & Service Charge
Q. What are the current visa fees and charges?
A. To find out about the current visa fees and charges, visit the Rules & Fees section of this website.
Q. Do I have to pay a Visa Issuance Fee?
A. Indian and Bhutanese citizens and holders of the yellow Identity Certificate are exempt from this fee. To find out whether you must pay a Visa Issuance Fee and what the cost of the fee is, click here.
Q. I am not an Indian or Bhutanese citizen. What visa fees and charges are applicable to me?
A. All visa applicants must pay the Visa Application Fee and VFS Service Charge. You may also have to pay a Visa Issuance Fee. To find out whether you must pay a Visa Issuance Fee and what the cost of the fee is, click here.
Q. I have lost my Visa Fee Receipt. What do I do?
A. If you lose your Visa Fee Receipt, you must pay the Visa Application Fee and VFS Service Charge again and get a new Visa Fee Receipt.
Rules & Fees > learn more
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Booking a Visa Interview Appointment
Q. I need to travel immediately to the U.S., but there are no visa interview appointments available for the next few days. Is it possible to have an interview without an appointment?
A. No. You must book a visa interview appointment online and then attend your interview. It is not possible to waive this requirement.
Q. My passport expires in the next 6 to 12 months, but I want to apply for a U.S. visa. What should I do?
A. Please obtain a new passport before you pay any visa fees or book a visa interview appointment.
Q. How do I book an appointment for a nonimmigrant visa interview?
Two business days after you receive your two-page Visa Fee Receipt, you can book a visa interview appointment online. Log onto http://www.vfs-usa.co.in and click on the "Apply for a Nonimmigrant Visa" link. Please have your Visa Fee Receipt on hand, as you need it to book your appointment. As part of the online booking process, you are required to print your appointment letter and to complete and print forms DS-156, DS-157 (if applicable) and DS-158 (if applicable).
Apply for a Visa > learn more
Q. I am not an Indian or Bhutanese citizen. How do I book an appointment for a nonimmigrant visa interview?
A. Follow the instructions outlined in the answer to the previous question, but note that when you book online you must select "A resident of India/Bhutan" and the appropriate "State of Residence" when prompted.
Apply for a Visa > learn more
Q. I booked a visa interview appointment using my old passport and now have a new passport. How do I proceed?
A. Bring your old passport and new passport to your visa interview and inform a consular officer.
Q. I have already booked a visa interview appointment, but would like to reschedule to an earlier date? What do I do?
A. If you want an earlier visa interview appointment you must first cancel your current appointment and then, if your Visa Fee Receipt is valid, you book another appointment online. To reschedule/cancel your appointment, click here.
Q. I want to apply for a visa and would like my spouse/child to travel with me. Can they apply for a dependent's visa (e.g., H-4 or L-2) when I apply for my visa?
A. Yes. A spouse or child can apply for their visa at the same time as you do. Consular officers recommend you do so. Please book your visa interview appointments for the same day and attend your visa interview together.
Q. My wife and I have visa interview appointments for next month, but we have just had a baby. How do we arrange an appointment for our new child?
A. You do not need to book an appointment for your new child, but you must take the following steps:
1) Pay the Visa Application Fee and VFS Service Charge for your child at a designated branch of the HDFC bank
2) Log on to the website http://evisaforms.state.gov/ and complete a E-Visa Application Form DS-156 for your child
3) Bring your child with you to your visa interview along with the child's mandatory documents and applicable supporting documents. The child's documents must include an original passport, one recent photograph, a completed E-Visa Application Form DS-156 and the two-page Visa Fee Receipt.
Note: this exception to standard procedures is only for new children.
Apply for a Visa > learn more
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Completion of Application Forms
Q. I only have one name. How do I fill out the DS-156 Form?
A. If you have only one name, a "first name", please enter your name in Box 6 of the DS-156 Form (Surnames) and write "FNU" in Box 7 (First & Middle Names).
Q. Can I change the information in my application forms once they are printed?
A. Yes. If the details of your application change, or you made a mistake, use a pen to cross out the incorrect information and then write in the correct information. Inform a consular officer of the changes made on the day of your visa interview.
Q. I need to complete an E-Visa Application Form DS-156. Where can I find this form?
A. This electronic form can been found at http://evisaforms.state.gov/.
For answers to other questions about the completion of application forms, please explore the Apply for a Visa section of this website.
Apply for a Visa > learn more
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Visa Interviews & Children
Q. My child needs a visa. Do my wife and I have to attend the visa interview with our child?
A. Yes. Both parents should attend the visa interview with their child if possible. Where one parent is unable to attend the visa interview with the child, the absent parent should provide a letter to their wife or husband that states they have no objection to the child’s application for a visa.
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Return of your Passport
Q. When will I get my passport after the visa interview?
A. If your visa application is approved you will receive your passport by courier up to seven business days after your visa interview, though delivery is usually much faster. You cannot receive your passport immediately after the visa interview. If your visa application is unsuccessful, the consular officer will hand back your passport at the end of the visa interview.
Q. How can I receive my passport earlier?
A. To get your passport earlier, you can use Counter Passport Collection (previously called the "Rush Service"). This allows you to pick up your passport in person from the U.S. Visa Application Center in New Delhi. VFS provides and manages this service; for more information, click here.
Q. What if my passport does not arrive?
A. If you have not received your passport after seven business days, please phone VFS or go to the U.S. Visa Application Center nearest your location. For more information, click here.
Courier System > learn more
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Visa Denials
Q. What is Section 214(b) and what does it mean?
A. Section 214(b) is part of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). It states:
every alien … shall be presumed to be an immigrant until he establishes to the satisfaction of the consular officer, at the time of application for a visa … that he is entitled to a nonimmigrant status
It means that the burden of proof is on the applicant to show that he or she is not an intending immigrant. The consular officer uses the interview to determine the intentions of the applicant. For more information, click here.
Q. What if a consular officer puts my case on hold under Section 221(g)?
A. If the consular officer puts your case on hold under Section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) it means your visa application was not complete or requires further administrative action. For more information, click here.
Visa Denials > learn more
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Reapplying for a Visa
Q. I was denied a U.S. visa under Section 214(b). How do I reapply?
A. To reapply you must start the visa application process again. The earliest you can start the process is three business days after your previous visa interview. For more details, click here.
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Temporary Visitors (Business/Pleasure/Medical)
Q. My visa expires soon after my intended date of arrival in the U.S. Do I need to get a new visa before departure?
A. No. You can seek entry to the U.S. right up to the last date of validity indicated on your visa.
Q. I need medical treatment in the U.S. What do I do?
A. If you or a relative requires special medical treatment in the U.S., apply for a B-1/B-2 visa for temporary visitors and bring the appropriate supporting documents to the visa interview.
If you or a relative requires emergency medical treatment in the U.S. and you or your relative are unable to book a visa interview appointment through VFS, book an emergency visa interview appointment. For more information, click here.
Q. Where can I find more information about temporary visitor visas?
A. First read the locally provided information about the visa application process, and then if you still have questions or just want more information, please use the following resources:
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Students and Exchange Visitors
Q. I have received my SEVIS I-20 Form and paid my SEVIS I-901 Fee, but do not have a SEVIS I-901 Fee receipt. Can I appear for my visa interview without the receipt?
A. Yes. Embassy or Consulate staff can verify your payment electronically. If you are unsure that SEVP received your SEVIS I-901 Fee payment or your receipt has not arrived in a reasonable amount of time, contact Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) before your visa interview.
SEVP Contact Information > click here
Q. I got admission to a school in the U.S. and obtained a student visa, but due to personal reasons I did not join my school. I now wish to join that school in the coming fall and hope to receive my new SEVIS I-20 Form in a week or so. Do I need a new visa?
A. You will need to apply for a new student visa if the SEVIS ID number on your new I-20 Form is different from your previous I-20 Form.
Q. What if I receive an SEVIS I-20 Form from a better school?
A. If you receive an SEVIS I-20 Form from a better school and wish to attend that school you will need to change the name of the school printed on your visa. To do this you will have to apply for another visa and pay the Application Fee and Service Charge again.
Q. Am I required to pay the first year's tuition expenses in advance and show a receipt from the school?
A. No. Payment of tuition expenses in advance is good evidence that you can finance your studies in the U.S., but it is not a requirement to pay in advance and show a receipt.
Q. How long can I stay in the U.S. on a J-1 Visa?
A. Your stay in the U.S. will usually be for the duration of your program, plus a period of 30 days for the purpose of travel. The DS-2019 Form indicates the duration of your program. The 30-day grace or travel status period at the end of the exchange visitor's program is for domestic travel and/or to prepare for and depart from the U.S., and for no other purpose. A spouse or child (J-2 Visa holder) may not be admitted for longer than the exchange visitor (J-1 Visa holder). For more details, click here.
Q. What is "The Two Year Rule"?
A. This commonly used phrase refers to the "Two-Year Foreign Residency Requirement" for exchange visitors (J-1 Visa holders). For more details, click here.
Q. Can the "Two-Year Foreign Residency Requirement" be waived?
A. Yes. You may apply for a waiver of the requirement under any one of the five applicable grounds provided by U.S. immigration law. For more information, click here.
Q. Where can I find more information about student or exchange visitor visas?
A. First read the locally provided information about the visa application process, and then if you still have questions or just want more information, please use the following resources:
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Temporary Work in the U.S.
Q. When can I apply for my H-1B visa and when should I try to enter the U.S.?
A. You may apply for an H-1B visa when you receive your I-797 Form (Notice of Action). You can travel to the U.S. and seek permission to enter the country ten days before the start of the approved employment status period written on your I-797 Form.
Q. I am a holder of a valid H-1B/L-1 visa but want to change my employer. What do I do?
A. You must notify U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) when you make any change to your employment status.
Q. Can I get my visa renewed, revalidated or re-stamped?
A. Visa renewals apply to applicants who reapply for H, I, L, O or P visas outside of the U.S. Revalidations are not available outside the U.S. and relate only to visas for diplomats and officials. Today, a U.S. visa is not a stamp and so a passport cannot be "re-stamped". Instead, a visa foil made of paper is stuck inside your passport.
Q. I left the U.S. after my employer/petitioner filed a "petition extension"/"extension of stay" and the paperwork for the petition/extension of stay is pending. I now need to return to U.S. to continue my work. What do I do next?
A. You must apply for a new visa to re-enter the U.S. as soon as you receive your new I-797 Form (Notice of Action).
Q. I left the U.S. and have a valid petition, but my visa has expired. I need to return to the U.S. to continue my work. What do I do next?
A. You must apply for a new visa to re-enter the U.S.
Q. I was recently in the U.S. and changed my status from one classification to another, for example, F-1 to H-1B. Do I need a visa to return to the U.S.?
A. Yes. You must apply for the appropriate visa and bring to your visa interview appointment an I-797 Form (Notice of Action) that shows you changed your status.
Q. Where can I find more information about temporary worker visas?
A. First read the locally provided information about the visa application process, and then if you still have questions or just want more information, please use the following resources:
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Visa Waiver Program
Q. How can I find out about the Visa Waiver Program?
A. Go to the U.S. Department of State's website and read the latest information on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
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Overstaying in the U.S.
Q. I overstayed in the U.S. during my last visit and I am applying for a new visa. What documents must I present at my visa interview?
A. It is illegal to overstay in the U.S. unless you obtained lawful permission to do so from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If you requested and obtained an "extension of stay" from USCIS, you would have received an I-797 Form (Notice of Action), Extension of Status Approval Notice. You should present this I-797 Form at your visa interview.
USCIS website > click here
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Valid U.S. Visa in Old Passport
Q. I still have a valid U.S. nonimmigrant visa in my old passport. Can I transfer this visa to my new passport?
A. No. You should not remove the valid visa from your old passport or seek the assistance of a U.S. Embassy or Consulate to do so. Just present both passports to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) when you arrive at a port of entry in the U.S.
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Lost or Stolen Passport
Q. What do I have to do if I had valid U.S. visa in my passport but that passport was lost or stolen?
A. If you have lost your passport or had it stolen, immediately contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate that issued your visa. Please provide your passport number, name and contact details.
If you intended to use the lost or stolen visa to enter the U.S. and want to enter the U.S. in the future, you should obtain a Police First Incident Report (FIR) as soon as possible from the precinct where your passport was lost or stolen. You will then need to obtain a new passport, apply for a new visa and bring along the FIR and photocopies of your lost passport and visa, if possible, to your visa interview appointment.
Further Instructions & Information:
- Make photocopies of your passport and valid U.S. visa. A passport and valid U.S. visa are valuable documents
- To prevent visa fraud, when a valid U.S. visa is lost or stolen, please email ndfpu@state.gov and provide your passport number, name and contact details
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Damaged Visas
Q. I damaged my U.S. visa. What should I do?
A. Bring your visa to the Visa Section of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. A consular officer will assess the damage and decide what action is required, if any.
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Visa Printed Incorrectly
Q. What if my visa was printed incorrectly?
If you think your visa was printed incorrectly and your visa interview took place at the U.S. Embassy, New Delhi, please submit your passport to the Consular Section on a business day. If you were interviewed at a U.S. consulate in India you should contact the relevant consulate to find out how your visa can be corrected.
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Surrendering your "Green Card"
Q. I am "green card" holder, but I wish to abandon my Lawful Permanent Resident status because I am now living in another country. What do I do?
A. If you wish to abandon your Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status, please come to the Embassy or a consulate at 8:00 a.m. (7:30 a.m. in Mumbai), Monday through Friday, with your "green card", passport, re-entry permit (if applicable), and a completed Form I-407, Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status. A consular officer will interview you and accept your application.
Q. Can I apply for a nonimmigrant visa and abandon my Lawful Permanent Resident status/"green card" at the same time?
A. To be eligible for a nonimmigrant visa you must have abandoned your Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status/"green card". If you wish to apply for a visa when you are a LPR/"green card" holder you must plan to abandon your LPR status/"green card" right before your visa interview at the Embassy or a consulate. To do this, come for your nonimmigrant visa interview as instructed and bring with you your "green card", passport, re-entry permit (if applicable), and completed Form I-407, Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status. Tell the consular officer you wish to abandon your LPR status/"green card" before the nonimmigrant visa interview begins.
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Visa Fraud
Q. How do I report visa fraud?
A. Please inform us by e-mail if you have information about individuals obtaining visas by fraud. Be as specific as possible, and if you can, please include the person’s name, date of birth, passport number, and any other information you may have. All information will be kept confidential. Provide your name and contact details in all communications.
Visa Fraud E-mail:
Apply for a Visa > learn more
Visa Services
Nonimmigrant Visas
General Information
Types of Visas
Apply for a Visa
Rules & Fees
Reschedule/Cancel Appointment
Administrative Processing
Visa Denials
Courier System (NIV)
