Nonimmigrant Visas

Applying for a Visa

Consular Sections throughout India have made great strides in reducing wait times for nonimmigrant visa appointments.  Due to that fact that appointments are now available in all consular districts, Mumbai will no longer accept nonimmigrant visa applicants from the Chennai consular district, except those applying for C1/D (crew) visas or renewing H or L visas (e.g. have an H or L visa that has expired less than 12 months ago).  Applicants applying in Mumbai, must follow the procedures regarding the submission of documents in advance of their scheduled interviews.  All applicants must make their appointments via our off-site appointment provider, VFS.  More information on how to apply can be found on the VFS website at http://www.vfs-usa.co.in

Remember - Apply Early
According to U.S. visa laws and regulations, all nonimmigrant visa applicants must be interviewed. As a result, the amount of time it can take to obtain a visa has increased. We suggest you to apply early for your visa.  Please visit the VFS website to seek an appointment. Note that a family can schedule appointments for all family members together in the same slot.

To view the current wait times for nonimmigrant visas, click here.

The Mumbai Consular District
Applicants should apply at the consular office responsible for the consular district in which they live. The Mumbai Consular District includes the states of Maharashtra, Chhatisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Daman & Diu, Dadra, and Nagar Haveli.

Applying for a visa and don't speak or understand English? That's not a problem.
Many persons apply in English, which is the language spoken by all Consular officers. However, we have interpreters on staff who speak Hindi, Gujarati, and Marathi. Do not let a language limitation become an obstacle in your interview.

Application by Interview
All nonimmigrant visa applicants must come to the Consulate for an interview.  Please visit the VFS website for information on how to schedule an interview appointment. If you are unable to schedule your appointment online through VFS, you must fill out Application Forms DS-156 and DS-157 and submit them to a VFS office. And, depending on your type of visa, you may need to fill out additional forms. Please see our list of required documents and fees for further details.

At the time of the interview, you must bring an individual passport that is valid for travel for at least six months after the date of entry in to the U.S. All nonimmigrant visa applicants, including children, must have a valid passport.

Due to security concerns and space limitations the Consulate does not permit interested parties such as friends, relatives or business contacts to intervene on behalf of a non-immigrant visa applicant during an interview. If any such party wishes to present facts to the Consulate concerning a particular visa case, they are encouraged to supply this information directly to the applicant. Letters, faxes, or emails sent to the consular section in anticipation of applications are seldom available to the interviewing officer at the time the applicant appears for an interview. Caution: Submit only valid documents. Fraud or misrepresentation can result in permanent ineligibility for a nonimmigrant visa.

Important things to remember when filling out application forms:

• Respond to all the questions. If you have no response for a question, put "none" or "nil" - do not draw a line or write "NA" or "not applicable"
• You must provide specific contact and address information both in India and the United States. Applications with responses such as "any hotel" as the address in the U.S. will be rejected for additional information.
• You must sign your application, even if someone else fills it out.
• All applicants are personally responsible and accountable for the answers on their application forms, regardless of who fills out the forms.
• When applying for tourist or business visitor's visa you should also bring along any documents you think will be helpful to establish your financial ability to travel, your business connections either in India or the US, and other social or economic ties which will serve to compel your return to India after a limited visit. Please refer to specific documentary requirements for students, exchange visitors, temporary works and other specific types of visas.

For additional inquiries, call 2363-7407, fax 2363-0350 or email mumbainiv@state.gov.