Press Releases 2006

U.S. Embassy Changes Nonimmigrant Visa Interview Appointment System to Prevent Misuse

September 27, 2006

NEW DELHI -- The U.S. Embassy today announced changes in the visa interview appointment system to prevent its misuse.  The Embassy has made the following changes that are effective as of September 30, 2006:

1. Applicants can cancel a visa interview appointment only twice. After the second cancellation, the HDFC Visa Fee Receipt is deactivated for 90 calendar days and the applicant  will not be able to book another appointment until the 90 days has passed.
2. If the applicant does not appear for a visa interview appointment, the HDFC Visa Fee Receipt will be deactivated. The applicant will not be able to book another appointment.  If the applicant has a valid reason why he/she did not appear for the appointment, he/she can request that VFS reactivate your Visa Fee Receipt. To make the request the applicant must go in person to the nearest VFS U.S. Visa Application Center and bring with the applicant's passport and two-page HDFC Visa Fee Receipt. At the Center, the applicant request that the receipt is reactivated, explain why it was not possible to appear for the appointment and show them the applicant's passport and two-page HDFC Visa Fee Receipt. VFS will then decide whether to reactivate the receipt or not. If VFS reactivates the applicant's receipt, the applicant will be able to book another appointment through VFS.

The Embassy regrets any inconvenience these changes may cause visa applicants. All other parts of the visa interview appointment system remain the same. These changes do not affect the Business Executive Program (BEP).

Further Instructions & Information:

• If an applicant cannot appear for the initial visa interview appointment, cancel the appointment. If an applicant cancels his/her appointment, the applicant will be able to book another appointment with the HDFC Visa Fee Receipt. If the applicant does not cancel his/her appointment, the receipt will be deactivated
• The applicant can cancel/reschedule a visa interview appointment up to two business days before an appointment, unless the applicant is applying in Mumbai, in which case the applicant can cancel/reschedule the appointment only up to five business days before the appointment
• The HDFC Visa Fee Receipt can be used to book and appear for a visa interview appointment within one year from date of issuance - after that the receipt is void.
• The Visa Application Fee and VFS' Service Charge are nonrefundable.
• For further information about how to apply for U.S. visa, contact VFS:
  VFS Helpline (excluding Punjab): 011-4222-0000
  VFS Helpline (Punjab): 0181-504-1444
  VFS Email: infodelhi@vfs-usa.co.in; VFS on the Internet: http://www.vfs-usa.co.in