Two basic types of US visas:
1. Immigrant visas:
For those intending to reside permanently in the United
States. (Whether or not they intend to work.)
2. Nonimmigrant visas:
Visa for visiting United States temporarily. Tourist or
medical treatment,businsess purpose,Students, Participants
in exchange programs, Temporary workers, Performing artists,
Professional journalists, and Government representatives,
etc.
Different categories of visas:
There are several categories of temporary worker visas. All applicants
for such visas, must have a petition approved by the U.S. Immigration
and Naturalization Service (INS) before applying for the visa.
Registered nurses, persons in a speciality occupation H-1B,
temporary or seasonal agricultural workers, temporary or seasonal non
agricultural workers, trainees other than medical or academic,
practical training in the education of handicapped children.
L Visa-- Intra company transferees. L2 is a depdent visa for L1 family members.
O-1 Visa-- Persons with extraordinary
ability in the science, arts, education, business, athletics,
or extraordinary achievements in the motion picture
and television field.
P-1 to P-3
Visa-- Individual or team of athletes, or members of
an entertainment group, that are internationally recognized.
The spouse and unmarried, minor children of an applicant for H or L visas may also be classified as nonimmigrant in order to accompany or join the principal applicant.
** A person who has received
a H4 visa as the spouse or child of a temporary worker,
may not accept employment in the United States.
There are two nonimmigrant visa categories for persons wishing to study in the United States. The F visa is for academic studies, and the M visa is for nonacademic or vocational studies.
** A spouse, and unmarried,
minor children may also receive nonimmigrant visas to
accompany or follow the student.
Visitors visas are nonimmigrant
visas, for persons desiring to enter the United States
temporarily for
- Business purpose B1
- For pleasure or Tourist purpose B2 visa.
- For Medical
treatment (B-2). (These visas are for a specifically
limited period.)
Note: Foreign
travelers who are citizens from certain eligible countries, may not
need Tourist / Business visa to visit the U.S. They can enter USA
without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program.
Following countries are in the Visa Waiver Program.
Andorra,
Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco,
Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom (For
citizens with the unrestricted right of permanent abode in England,
Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of
Man.)
|
Application and Visa Fees for non-immigrant visas: | Fee |
Details |
|---|
| 1. Visa Application Fee |
$131 USD
[ Rs. 7205 (Current equivalent to USD $131 at the rate of Rs 55 = 1US Dollar)]
(Effective March 6, 2009)
Receipts issued by HDFC Bank prior to March 6, 2009 will be honored.
- Must be paid prior to the appointment.
- This fee is payable in cash or by DD/HDFC Bank cheque favoring�HDFC Bank a/c US Embassy� . Must be paid at certain branches at HDFC bank. You need to take a photocopy of each applicant's passport first page.
- Non refundable.
|
2. Administrative Fee
(
VFS' Service Charge) |
RS. 374/- ( Revised, effective from March 2nd, 2009)
- Must be paid prior to the appointment.
-
This fee is payable in cash or by DD/HDFC Bank cheque favoring�HDFC
Bank a/c VFS�. Must be paid at certain branches at HDFC bank . Should
be paid along with visa application fee.
- Non refundable.
|
3. Visa Issuance Fee
(Not Required for Indian citizens) |
No Longer required for Indian citizens from 8th Nov 2006.
|
Note:
- The
INR equivalent amount of application fee and issuance
fee is subject to change depending on exchange rates.
At present it is 1US$ = 55.00 Rs. Applicable
effective from March 6 , 2009.
- DDs issued by cooperative banks are not accepted.
- Once
you pay the , VFS computer systems gets the details about the
payment.The fee receipt gets activated in VFS systems 2 working days
from date of issue. Do not attempt to take an appointment till then.
-
HDFC Bank's fee receipt can be used to make an appointment within 1
year from date of issue. The receipt is deemed as utilized once the
interview has taken place, and cannot be used to make a subsequent
appointment.
Fee for Other Services :( Not applicable for Fresh Applicants)
Effective Oct 1st 2006 , VFS service charge payable at HDFC
for -
Fee for 221(g) cases = Rs.155/-
Fee for Visa correction = Rs.374/-
All the above charges are inclusive of 12.24% service tax.
Visa application and VFS service fee can only be paid at a designated
branch of HDFC Bank at the following branches.
Process to apply ? All US visa applicants require to be interviewed by
a US Consulate, before being granted a visa. Applicant
need to appear in person for the Interview at consulate.
A prior appointment is must for this purpose. Find out which Consulate
is applicable for you. There are 4 USA consulate
in India and based on your address of residency/state
in India, need to contact a specific service provider
for that consulate that is applicable for you. - Prepare all the documents as per the list given
above.
- Setup an appoinment for the interview. Submit the
documents.
- Go for the interview on scheduled time, if visa
approved give electronic fingure printing.
- Passport will be delivered by courier at your address.
|
