The United States Consulate in India has introduced a new visa processing system recently. The implementation of this new process has been started on September 26, 2012.

This process was chosen to simplify the visa process, especially to the NRI’s who would want to book for a visa interview and also to provide an efficient, standardized and transparent application process. This process makes it really easy for the visa fee payment and to schedule your visa appointment.

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Where to schedule the visa appointment?

The new visa appointments can now be scheduled at www.ustraveldocs.com/in

Note that appointments can also be scheduled by calling to the U.S. Embassy call center.

New Payment Options:

The visa applicants can now also pay the visa application fees via Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) or using your mobile phones. The visa fee can also be paid by cash at almost 1,800 AXIS bank branches. You should receive the payment receipt as a message to your mobile in less than one hour you pay the fees.

Change in the Application Process:

With the new system, the visa applicants have to schedule for two appointments:

• The applicant needs to schedule the first appointment in order to visit an Offsite Facilitation Center (OFO), to submit the finger prints and a photograph.
• This is the actual visa interview to be attended by the applicant at the U.S. Consulate.

The above two appointments must be scheduled on two separate days.

Where is Offsite Facilitation Center (OFO)?

OFO would be located apart from the embassy at: Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai

The U.S. Embassy quotes “the OFCs will reduce congestion at U.S. consular facilities and speed applicant processing.  Most applicants will need to visit an OFC only once.  “

Group Travel with Family or Other Employees?

The new system now allows bulk purchases of fee receipt. This is an advantage for companies and travel agents. The process allows scheduling for group as well as emergency appointments.

U.S. Embassy Help Line / Call Center

The U.S. embassy has enabled online chat service for any visa application related questions. You can call, email or use online chat service.

Call centers located in Noida and Hyderabad can answer back to you in English, Hindi, Telugu, Panjabi, Gujarati and Tamil.

Call Center Timings & Hot Line:

The call center is open:  Monday to Friday – 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and Sunday – 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

You can reach them at: (91-120) 660-2222 or (1-22) 6720-9400 in India and 1-310-616-5424 in the United States

Email:

You can email at [email protected] for any visa related questions in English or Hindi and you should expect a response soon.

Online Chat:

You can chat online for any visa application related questions and quickly know the status at http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in during the call center hours.

Do you have any questions on the new visa system? Write us to [email protected]. We will get back to you as soon as possible.