Nonimmigrant Visas

General Information

A nonimmigrant visa is most frequently a tourist, business, student, or specialty worker visa that will permit the applicant to stay for a particular period of time in the United States to accomplish a specific purpose, such as visiting, studying, or working in a specialty job.

Applicants seeking nonimmigrant visas must arrange an appointment with our off-site interview scheduler, VFS. Please see the VFS website at http://www.vfs-usa.co.in for further details. Any query regarding the appointment system should be directed to VFS. 

Visa Validity
A visa's validity is the period during which the traveler may use the visas to apply for admission to the U.S. It does not indicate the length of time the visitor may stay. An officer of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) authorizes the traveler's admission to the United States and determines the period of authorized stay.

Applicants should be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry to the United States. At the port of entry, an inspector may deny admission to the holder of a valid visa if the traveler's activities do not appear to be compatible with the specified visa category.

If you have additional questions about nonimmigrant visas, contact us at:

Telephone: (91-22) 2363-7407

Fax: (91-22) 2363-0350

(dial 011 before the number if calling from the U.S.)

Email: mumbainiv@state.gov

Please do not send your nonimmigrant visa applications to our office. Because of the large volume of mail we receive daily at the Consulate, it is very difficult to ensure that independently-mailed documents are matched with the file of persons who plan to apply for visas at a later date.  We encourage nonimmigrant visa applicants to bring additional supporting documentation, including invitation letters or letters of support, directly to their interview appointments.

On the day of the interview

We recommend that visa applicants who have an appointment arrive at our office no earlier than fifteen minutes before the visa appointment.

Interpreters are allowed to accompany hearing-impaired applicants to their visa interviews. However, visa applicants requiring special assistance should keep their number of escorts to a minimum.

Applicants 16 and younger may be accompanied by one adult, preferably a parent or someone familiar with the applicant’s social and economic situation.

Applicants are encouraged to bring with them only those documents required in support of the visa applications. Items not permitted on our premises are cameras, torches, smoking items, electronic items, sharp instruments, and briefcases.