The US Consular Section has announced on17th December that online US visa application process would be launched from January 19th next year. The measure is aimed at ensuring paperless process while applying for visas.
The applicant would have to fill up just one electronic visa application form DS 160, answer a few questions online and seek an appointment at any US Consular office in India. Instructions on how to use DS-160 will be available online and within the application itself.
Till date, Visa applicants have to fill up three different forms DS 156, 157 and 158, submit them online and also submit print-outs at either the VFS Centers (Mumbai Region) or in other four consulates.
With this new change effective 19th January 2010, the applicants can directly submit the applications online and attend for the visa interview at the chosen US Consulate.
This not only helps faster and easier processing, but also reduces the hassle of filling up multiple forms.
This step is very useful for all non-immigrant visa applicants, including students.
At present, applicants will be allowed to attend a visa interview at any consulate, if one is a fluent English speaker and if he/she was not rejected earlier in a specific consulate. In case of a rejection earlier, one has to seek a new appointment only in the consulate where one attended the interview previously.
Also, there is a new proposal under consideration with the Department of State of the US Government. Under the proposed rule, applicants for B1/B2 tourist and business visitor visas and all student and exchange-visitor visas, would pay a fee of $140. This proposal would be made applicable after the rule is published finally.