Non-immigrant Visas

Visa Appointments

To schedule an appointment for visa interview, log on to VFS  website  www.vfs-usa.co.in

Helpline no for Visa Facilitation Service (VFS) for the Southern region: 

Help line no : 044 - 4231-6767

VFS email address or inquiry is info@vfs-usa.co.in

Important Information on Visa Appointments and Visa Processing

Visa Appointments:

High demand for visas during peak travel times and the need to take additional steps to ensure the safety of the traveling public is likely to result in periodic increases in the wait time for visa appointments. The information below is updated on a weekly basis.

• Average length of time to obtain an appointment for a non-immigrant visa interview in Chennai: click here.
• Average length of time to obtain an appointment for a non-immigrant visa interview in New Delhi: click here.

All appointments for visa interviews at the Consulate General are made via the Internet at  http://www.vfs-usa.co.in/.

Visas are returned to applicants via VFS, which will collect a fee of Rs. 276 as applicants enter the consular waiting room.

Emergency Appointments:

With regard to emergency appointment requests for medical reasons, emergency business travel, family emergency (such as death) and other emergency situations please visit the website: http://www.vfs-usa.co.in/for our new emergency web based appointment system.

Indian Passports with 20 Years Validity

In past years, the Government of India issued some passports with 20-year validity periods. This information is not widely known in the international community and has caused some Indian travelers with 20-year passports to experience difficulties with immigration personnel. The United States Government recognizes and accepts the Indian 20 year passports as valid travel documents duly issued by the Government of India to Indian citizens. However, in March 2004, the Indian Embassy in Washington, DC advised persons holding Indian passports with 20 year validity to apply for a new 10 year validity passports. Persons holding Indian 20 year passports who wish to change them for 10 year passports should contact the Indian passport office directly regarding the modalities for doing so. Persons with a valid US visa in their old passport may still use that visa by carrying both the old and new passport when they travel. Persons with a 20-year Indian passport who will apply for a new U.S. visa may do so using the 20-year Indian passport if they so wish. Persons who do not yet have a visa, or who have a visa that is expired, or who have a visa that will expire in the next year and who intend to change their passport in the near future are advised to make the change in passport before applying for their U.S. visa rather than after. Persons who change their passport after making their visa interview appointment should bring the old passport or a photocopy to the visa interview.