Press Releases 2006

July 28, 2006

U.S.  Adjusts Consular Exchange Rate

MUMBAI -- Due to the recent fall in the value of the rupee against other currencies, including the U.S. dollar, effective Monday, August 7, 2006 the United States consular sections in India will adjust the consular exchange rate from Rs. 46 to the dollar to Rs. 48 to the dollar, thereby increasing all rupee denominated costs of applying for visas and passports at the U.S. Embassy and Consulates General. 

Effective August 7, the $100.00 nonimmigrant visa application fee, paid at HDFC branch banks prior to the scheduling of visa appointments, will cost Rs. 4,800.00. This does not include HDFC or VFS fees. Applicants who have purchased Rs. 4,600.00 demand drafts prior to August 7, will not be required to bring the additional Rs. 200 to cover the increase.  All nonimmigrant visa fees paid August 7 or later will be in the amount of Rs. 4800.00, plus HDFC and VFS fees.

Applicants for visas that require an issuance fee should submit a demand draft made out to the Embassy or Consulate General in the amount of Rs 2,400.00 to cover the $50.00 issuance fee on the day of the visa interview.  Applicants for student, exchange visitor, transit and crewman visas are not charged issuance fees and therefore do not need to submit the Rs. 2400.00 bank draft.  Applicants for Blanket L1 visas should submit a demand draft in the amount of Rs. 24,000.00 to cover the $500.00 issuance fee.  Please note that only bank drafts for the exact amount required on the day an application is submitted may be accepted at the Embassy and at our Consulates in Chennai and Calcutta. 

At the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai, applicants will be permitted to pay the Rs. 100 increase in issuance fee with a second demand draft, provided they have submitted their demand draft of Rs.2300.00 in advance to VFS.  Applicants who have not submitted a demand draft to VFS should appear for their interviews with one demand draft in the amount of Rs. 2400.00. 

The U.S. Embassy and Consulates General encourage all applicants to fill out their applications online to speed processing at the time of interview.  Visa applicants should also be prepared with unmounted, passport-style, full-face color photos with a white background.  The pictures should be no more than six months old and should measure between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the photo to the top of the head.

The August 7 adjustment in exchange rate will increase the rupee price of all consular transactions, including services for American citizens. U.S. passport applications for children under 16 will increase to Rs. 3,936, and adult passport renewal applications will cost Rs. 3,216, while first time adult passport applicants will pay Rs. 4,656.  A single notary seal will cost Rs. 1,440.

Further information on U.S. visa and consular services is available on the American Consulate General website at http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov