India is currently among the top few countries which send immigrants to the USA. Naturally, the business of acquisition of passport and procurement of visa to the USA from India has multiplied. However acquiring a visa is not a very simple procedure and one has to be fully furnished with information of where and how to approach to get over the entire process smoothly. Here goes a brief overview of how to get the India To USA Visa .
Broadly visas are divided into two groups: nonimmigrant and immigrant. While the former is meant for a temporary stay, the latter is more suited for those who intend to live in the US permanently.
⢠Non Immigrant Visa (NIV):
The following steps are involved to apply and acquire a non immigrant visa from India to USA:
Step 1: Applicant (excepting the officials traveling on government business and officials of international organization traveling on official grounds) has to pay the Application Fee and VFS Service Charge at a designated branch of HDFC bank before applying for the visa.
Step 2: After paying the fees, applicant has to log on to the website http://www.vfs-usa.co.in and click on the âApply for a Non-immigrant Visa' link. He/she has to use the barcode number from his/her HDFC Bank Fee Receipt in order to schedule an appointment. He/she will have to fill the forms DS-156,DS-157 and DS-158 (if applicable) at that time. A minimum time of 2 days will be taken between paying the fee and booking an appointment.
Step 3: Applicant has to report to the place where the visa interview is scheduled. Documents needed include:
⢠Passport (valid as of the date of entry into the U.S.) (Applicants whose passports will expire in less than 6 months after their entry into the USA need to renew their passports prior to applying for visa)
⢠Completed and signed Visa Application Form - DS-156
⢠Completed and signed Supplemental Application Form - DS-157
⢠Printed Appointment Letter
⢠HDFC Bank fee receipt with two barcode stickers
⢠Demand draft for the issuance fee ($50)
⢠if the applicant is applying for a F-1, M-1 and J-1 visa, he/she must submit a completed and signed application form (DS-158)
⢠One recent passport size photograph 50mm X 50mm (2" x 2") with white /off-white background.
Step 4: If the applicant is issued a visa, his/her passport will be returned via courier.
⢠Immigrant Vis (IV):
Those Indians who wish to obtain permanent resident status in the US must obtain immigrant visas. Immigrant visa applications mostly begin when a family member who is a US citizen or legal permanent resident of the US, submits a petition (Form I-130) [on behalf of the applicant immigrant] to the office of the U. S. Citizenship & Immigration Services in the United States. The applicant should not submit the I-130 form to the Consular Section as it does not process it.
The Immigrant Visa processing includes the following items:
Application Form (DS-230) filling which should include the following:
⢠Not to use the term "not applicable" or "N/A". Instead the applicant should write "none" or "never".
⢠To sign and date the bottom of page 2. Copies or facsimiles of signature are not acceptable. Children, who can, should sign their own forms and the parents of children under 16 years of age should sign the child's name and write "by (father) or (mother)â, whichever is the case.
⢠Not to sign the bottom of page 4. One should only sign page four when instructed by the Consular Officer during visa interview.
Affidavit of Support (I-864):
⢠Applicant should have a Form I-864 signed by the petitioner, even if the latter has no income.
⢠Applicant must produce all attachments with the I-864 (or he/she could be refused under section 221g of the INA)
⢠All I-864 and I-864A forms are to include the income tax returns (form 1040 and W-2) from the last three years along with an employment verification letter for each sponsor.
Other Documents:
⢠Police Clearance Certificates
⢠Photo (roughly 50 mm square with the head centered in the frame)
⢠Interview in the Consular Section
⢠Filing Form I-130 by permanent lawful resident in the US in support of the applicant's immigration
