When planning to apply for a tourist visa to the U.S., ask yourself these questions:

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Visa applying Process: https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/USIndia/index.html

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Note: Step 1, Step 2 and Step 3 can be done in parallel to save time

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Step 1: Pay the Application Fee and VFS’ Service Charge at a designated branch of HDFC Bank before applying for a US Visa.

When going to HDFC Bank, please carry with you a photocopy of the 1st page of the applicant’s passport. <Link>

PUNE HDFC Banks:

HDFC BANK LTD., Fortune Square Building, Model Colony, Deep Bungalow chowk. Pune — 411 016 Banking Hours Weekdays: 9.30am to 2.00pm Sat: 9.30am to 12.30pm

HDFC BANK LTD. Plot No.3, CPS 870 Bhandarkar Institute Road Pune -411004 Banking Hours Weekdays : 9.30am to 3.30pm Sat :9.30am to 12.30pm

[Note that following fees are subject to change as rate of exchange changes.]
 
Total of fees is Rs. 6960/- for each applicant.  List of HDFC banks is here…

Effective November 02, 2009, Rate of Exchange – $1 = Rs. 47 <Link>

The fees payable at HDFC Bank per passport are: –
 
1.  Visa Application Fee (MRV Fee): US $140 payable in INR equivalent (Rs. 6,580) at consular exchange rate.  This fee is payable in cash or by DD/HDFC Bank cheque favouring “US Embassy – Visa Fees”. DDs issued by cooperative banks are not accepted.
  
2.  Service Charge: Rs.380/– which includes VFS’ service charge Rs. 359/- & Bank service charge Rs. 21/- (inclusive of Service Tax @ 10% and Education Cess Tax @0.30%) .  This fee is payable in cash or by DD/HDFC Bank cheque favouring “HDFC Bank a/c VFS”. DDs issued by cooperative banks are not accepted.
 
IMPORTANT: you are required to wait for one working day from the date of purchase of your visa fee receipt before you can use it for scheduling your interview appointment.

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Step 2: Obtain a digital photo that meets the photo requirements

Basic digital photo requirements:

• A .jpg file between 600×600 and 1200×1200 pixels
• Less than 240kbs
• Not digitally altered

If you do not have digital camera, get the passport sized photo (2 inches x 2 inches) from professional photographer and scan it, and save it in JPEG format. Make sure to take the print out of photo requirement to the photographer.

Additional Reference: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/frvi_3877.html

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Step 3: Fill the application form DS-160.

Tips on completing DS-160

Guide to fill DS-160 

DS-160 FAQs

VERY IMPORTANT: Please save the application every 10 minutes. The DS-160 will “time out” approximately 20 minutes after the application has been idle. If the application times out, all the data that has been entered will be lost. The best thing is to have all the information handy before starting the application process.

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Step 4: Print the DS-160 barcode confirmation sheet at the end of the DS-160 application on a laser printer. After you have printed it, email the confirmation page to yourself so you have a backup copy.

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Step 5: Make your appointment using your barcode number and fee receipt. If appropriate, use the “coworkers/family members traveling together” option.

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Step 6: Download and print your VFS appointment letter along with the checklist of documents which have to be submitted to VFS prior to the interview.  

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Step 7:  Submit following documents to the VFS application centres in Mumbai, Pune or Ahmedabad 3 working days before an Interview.

Pune VFS center address:

106, Sohrab Hall 1st Floor, Sassoon Road, Behind Pune Station Junction, Pune – 411001 .

The list of documents to be submitted will be in the checklist of documents that you printed in previous step. Following is sample list <Link>

Copy of the first and last page of your current valid passport. If you have any observations on your passport please submit a copy of the observation page also. You are recommended to have passport valid for travel for at least six months beyond your date of entry into the U.S.

One photograph as per specification

DS-160 Confirmation Barcode printout.

Original, valid HDFC Bank visa fee receipt. (Embassy copy)

Original interview appointment letter.

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Step 8: Report to the US Consulate, Mumbai where your appointment for a visa interview is scheduled. You will need to bring your interview appointment letter and all original supporting documents. Follow the Security Regulations (no phones, ladies purses, food etc)

Supporting documents required for Principal Applicant at the time of the H1B interview appointment at the American Consulate General, Mumbai <Link>

Copy of interview appointment letter, DS-160 Confirmation Barcode printout

Original, valid HDFC bank visa fee receipt (Applicant’s Copy).

If you are visiting a relative, carry photocopies of the relative’s proof of status e.g. Green Card, naturalization certificate, valid visa etc.

It is also helpful to carry evidence of how the trip will be financed along with letters of deputation, invitation or sponsorship.

A tourist may show evidence of financial resources through bank statements and tax returns for the past 3 years.

For parents visiting a child resident in the U.S. :

If child is an Indian citizen.

Childs’s original birth certificate.

Photocopy of all pages of child’s passport.

Where the U.S. visa of child has expired, photocopy of the renewed petition required.

Where child is a legal permanent resident in USA, photocopy of the green card (front and back) is required.

If child is a U.S. citizen.

Photocopy of bio-data page of U.S. passport or photocopy of Naturalization Certificate.

Suggested supporting documents:

a. Documents for home ownership
b. Documents for agriculture farm ownership

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Step 9: If your visa is approved, your passport will be returned back to you via courier to the address you specified when scheduling your appointment. Optionally, you may collect it across the counter. Please click on “Track your passport” link on VFS home page for further information.

FAQs: https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/USIndia/typ_faq.html

1. Collect via courier
==> Once your visa is approved; Blue Dart courier will return your passport to you at the address in India specified by you. Allow up to seven business days for delivery after your interview. The cost of the courier is included in the service charge.

2. Collect in-person (also known as ‘Counter Passport Collection’)
==> It is a facility whereby you can collect your passport prior to it being couriered to you. Passports will be handed over across the counter ONLY at the VFS application centre in the city where you were interviewed. You must carry original HDFC free receipt & original government recognized photo id (e.g. PAN card, driving license or voters’ id)

Mumbai US Visa Application centre, Tirupati Apartments, Bhulabhai Desai Road, Opp. Mahalakshmi Temple, Mumbai – 400026 Timings: 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM (1700hrs-1730hrs )

For Mumbai consulate, applicants may receive their passport in all probability on the same evening of the interview and if not received, then the next working day. Most passports are returned within 2 -3  business days of the interview.

If the passport is not collected in person on the day when it is received from the Embassy / Consulate the same would be immediately couriered to the final destination. No passports are retained by VFS under normal circumstances.

You need to show the original HDFC receipt with a photocopy along with a copy of the interview letter to collect your passport. 

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Note: All the information above is collected from following references: 

Visa Application Process: https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/USIndia/visaapplyingprocess.html

Tourist Visas:

http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov/applyingmain.html

http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov/tourism-/-business.html

Required documentations and Fees:

http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov/required_documents.html

Photo Requirements:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/frvi_3882.html

VFS India website:

https://www.vfs-usa.co.in

Visa wait times:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/wait_4788.html?post=Mumbai+(Bombay)&x=78&y=10