Press Releases 2006

U.S. Embassy Announces New System For Immigrant Visa Applicants

May 4, 2006

JALANDHAR -- The U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce an agreement with VFS that will provide better services to immigrant visa applicants. VFS is the private Indian company that manages the Non-Immigrant Visa appointment system for the U.S. Embassy and its consulates in India.

The new system will allow immigrant visa applicants to turn in required documents at three convenient VFS locations in Jalandhar, Chandigarh and New Delhi prior to the date of their visa interview.  Beginning May 1, 2006, immigrant visa applicants must appear at the U.S. Embassy only on the day of their interview.  In addition, the new VFS agreement will expedite immigrant visa processing procedures on the day of an applicant's interview.

Under the new system, all immigrant visa applicants scheduled for interview on or after May 1, 2006, should submit their completed Packet-4, "Information for Immigrant Visa Applicants," documents at their nearest VFS office (list of offices given below).  The documents along with a photocopy of each applicant's passport must be submitted at a VFS office no earlier than 15 working days and no less than 10 days prior to the scheduled interview date.  VFS will provide a receipt for all documents left at its offices and place a bar code sticker on the original passport.  The fee for this service is Rs. 337/- for each applicant.

When the visa is issued, it is sent back to the applicant via courier.  If additional documents and items are requested at the time of an immigrant visa applicant's interview, together with each applicant's passport, all documentation and items must be submitted to a VFS office.  The fee for this service is Rs. 337/- for each applicant.  Applicants should not submit documents piecemeal, but must submit all requested items at the same time.

If the Embassy requires additional information from an applicant with regard to the applicant's pending immigrant visa application, a courier will deliver the request.  Payment of a new fee may be required.  

VFS office address:

New Delhi	Jalandhar	Chandigarh
International Trade Tower, S-2 Level, Nehru Place, New Delhi - 110019	Ratan Tower, 2nd floor, Namdeo Chowk, Circuit House Road, Jalandhar - 144001	SCO-186-187, Sector 8C Madhya Marg,  Chandigarh - 160009