Applying For A Us Visa: Indian In-Laws' Guide

Indian citizens seeking to enter the United States must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler's passport. The type of visa required depends on the purpose of travel. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India are responsible for providing visa services to those seeking to enter the U.S. temporarily or for those wishing to take up indefinite or permanent residence. The process for applying for a U.S. visa involves submitting the DS-160 form, which requires information such as name, gender, visa class, date of birth, and passport number. Visa appointments can only be scheduled online, and applicants are encouraged to apply early as wait times for appointments vary. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates conduct nonimmigrant visa interviews by appointment only, and certain visa categories may be exempt from application fees and interview requirements. It is important to note that U.S. visas are not a guarantee of entry, and an immigration officer at the point of entry makes the final decision.

How to fill out the DS-160 form

The DS-160 form is an online application used to apply for all nonimmigrant visas in the U.S. It is a crucial part of the visa application process, providing the consular officer with the information needed to evaluate your eligibility for a visa. The form must be filled in and filed online on the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website. There is no paper version of the form.

Part 1: Personal Information

Provide personal information such as your name, date of birth, and marital status. You will also need to input your nationality, passport or national identification number(s), and your U.S. social security number or taxpayer ID number, if applicable.

Part 2: Travel Information

Explain your travel plans, including the purpose of your trip, your expected dates of arrival and departure, and the U.S. address where you will be staying. If you don't have specific plans yet, you can provide estimated dates.

Part 3: Travel Companions

Fill in the details of anyone travelling with you, such as family, friends, or members of an organised tour group. Remember that each traveller needs their own DS-160 form.

Part 4: Previous U.S. Travel

Indicate whether you have visited the U.S. before, and if so, provide the dates and details. You will also need to disclose if you have ever been denied a U.S. visa or filed an immigrant petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Part 5: Address and Phone Number

Enter your current address, phone number, and email address. You also have the option to provide an alternate mailing address. Additionally, list all the social media accounts you have used in the past five years, including "handles" or user IDs for sites like Twitter and Facebook.

Part 6: Passport Information

Provide your passport information. You may be asked for a "Passport Book Number" or "inventory control number." If your country doesn't use these, select "Does Not Apply." Indicate if you have ever had a passport lost or stolen, and if so, provide further details.

Part 7: U.S. Point Of Contact

List a person in the United States who knows you and can verify your identity. If you don't know anyone in the U.S., you can submit the name of a business or organisation you plan to visit during your trip.

Part 8: Family Information

Provide basic details about your parents. You may also need to provide details of any family members currently in the U.S. If you are married, include your spouse's name, date of birth, nationality, and home address.

Part 9: Work, Education, and Training

Fill in your occupation, educational background, and employment history for the last five years. Also, provide your travel history and any special skills you possess, as well as details of any military groups, charities, or professional organisations you have been a part of.

Part 10: Security and Background Information

Answer "yes" or "no" to 25 questions on security and background issues. Read these questions carefully and answer accurately, as mistakes could impact your application.

Part 11: Applicant Photo

Upload a photo of yourself that meets U.S. Department of State guidelines. You will be able to adjust the size and crop the image to fit the requirements. Note that this photo is not a substitute for the passport-style photo required for many visa applications.

Part 12: Review, Confirm Location, Sign, and Submit

Review your entire form for accuracy. Confirm the location from which you are applying so that your application can be sent to the appropriate U.S. embassy or consulate. Finally, read and agree to the terms and conditions before submitting the form.

After submitting, click "next" to access your official confirmation page. Print this page, as you will need to present it during your visa interview.

Where to submit the application form

To apply for a US visa, your in-laws will need to submit their application form to one of the five Visa Application Centers in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, or New Delhi. Alternatively, for a fee of 850 rupees per application, they can drop their documents off at one of the Document Drop-Off Centers located in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Cochin, Jalandhar, or Pune.

The US Embassy and Consulates in India are located at:

• U.S. Embassy, New Delhi: Shantipath, Chanakyapuri New Delhi – 110021
• U.S. Consulate General, Chennai: Gemini Circle, No. 220 Anna Salai Chennai – 600006
• U.S. Consulate General, Hyderabad: Paigah Palace 1-8-323 Chiran Fort Lane, Begumpet Secunderabad- 500003 Andhra Pradesh
• U.S. Consulate General, Kolkata: 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani Kolkata – 700071
• U.S. Consulate General, Mumbai: C-49, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex Bandra East, Mumbai 400051

The Consular Sections of the U.S. Embassy and the Consulates are responsible for providing visa services to those seeking to enter the United States for a temporary period and for those wishing to take up indefinite or permanent residence in the United States.

What documents to submit

When applying for a US visa, Indian in-laws will need to submit a number of documents as part of the application process. Here is a detailed list of the required documents:

• A completed DS-160 form: This form should be properly filled out with correct and complete information, including the applicant's name, gender, visa class, date of birth, passport number, etc. Each visitor must have their own DS-160 form.
• Passport: The applicant's passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of the application and should have at least two blank pages.
• Supporting letters: Applicants may need to provide letters supporting their reason for visiting the US, such as letters of invitation from Indian parties for business purposes.
• Insurance: Adequate travel insurance coverage is required, and other supporting documents may be requested.
• Accommodation details: Details of where the applicant will be staying in the US, including the name and address of the host or hotel.
• Proof of return: Evidence that the applicant intends to return to their home country after their visit, such as return flight tickets or proof of property/employment in their home country.
• Biometrics: Applicants will need to provide biometrics, such as fingerprints and a digital photograph, which will be captured at the Visa Application Center.
• Fees: The visa application fee must be paid, and this fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.
• Previous visa details: If applicable, provide details of any previous US visas, including the visa number and dates. If the applicant does not remember these details, they can write "NA" or "Not Available".
• Additional documents for specific visa types: Depending on the type of visa applied for, such as a business or medical visa, additional documents may be required. For example, for a business visa, a business card or invitation letter from an Indian company may be needed.

It is important to ensure that all documents are correctly filled out and submitted, as any discrepancies may result in the application being rejected. Incomplete applications may also be rejected if additional information is not provided within a specified time frame.

How to schedule a visa appointment

To schedule a US visa appointment for your Indian in-laws, follow the steps outlined below:

Step 1: Determine the Type of Visa

Before scheduling an appointment, it is important to determine the type of visa your in-laws will need. The type of visa depends on the purpose of their travel to the United States. The US Embassy website provides a Directory of Visa Categories to help applicants identify the appropriate visa category for their specific travel plans.

Step 2: Complete the DS-160 Form

All applicants for nonimmigrant visas are required to complete the DS-160 form, which is an online nonimmigrant visa application. This form must be properly completed with correct and up-to-date information, including name, gender, visa class, date of birth, passport number, etc. The DS-160 confirmation page will be needed for scheduling the visa interview appointment.

Step 3: Gather Required Documents

In addition to the completed DS-160 form, your in-laws will need to have several other documents ready before scheduling their visa interview appointment. These documents include:

• A valid passport with a validity date of at least six months beyond their intended period of stay in the United States.
• The visa application fee payment receipt.
• Any required documents based on the specific visa class they are applying for (e.g., petition approval for petition-based visas).

Step 4: Schedule the Visa Interview Appointment

Once your in-laws have all the necessary documents, they can proceed to schedule their visa interview appointment. This can be done either online or through a call center. It is important to note that the appointment must be scheduled at the US Embassy/Consulate in India, specifically in New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, or Mumbai.

During the appointment scheduling process, your in-laws will need to provide their personal information and may be asked to create a user account if they don't already have one. They will also need to select the appropriate visa type and provide the required documents mentioned in Step 3.

Step 5: Attend the Visa Interview

After scheduling the appointment, your in-laws must attend the visa interview at the US Embassy/Consulate on the scheduled date. They should be prepared to answer questions about their travel plans, intentions, and other relevant topics.

It is important to note that visa appointments may be limited due to high demand, and applicants are encouraged to plan their travel and visa applications as far in advance as possible. Additionally, applicants can request expedited appointments in case of time-sensitive travel, but these slots are also limited.

What to do after receiving the visa

Once your visa has been approved, there are a few steps you need to take before you travel to the United States. Here is what you need to do after receiving your US visa:

Check your visa:

When you receive your passport and visa, check the visa to ensure that the information contained on it is correct. Verify the printed information on the visa and the letter stapled to the package. If there are any spelling or biographical errors, contact the embassy or consulate immediately.

Pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee:

Before travelling to the US, you must pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This can be done by visiting the USCIS website. Please note that only children who enter the US under the Orphan or Hague adoption programs, Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants, returning residents (SB-1s), and those issued K visas are exempt from this fee. Also, USCIS will not issue a Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551 or Green Card) until you have paid the fee.

Plan your travel:

You must enter the United States within the visa validity period. An immigrant visa is usually valid for up to six months from the date of issuance, unless your medical examination expires sooner, which may result in a shorter validity period. Therefore, it is important to plan your travel accordingly and ensure that you arrive in the US no later than the visa expiration date.

Prepare for entry to the US:

When travelling to the US, remember that a visa does not guarantee entry. The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have the authority to grant or deny admission. Familiarise yourself with the entry requirements on the CBP website. Upon entry, you will be admitted as a Lawful Permanent Resident, also known as a green card holder, and will be permitted to work and live in the United States.

Additional considerations:

• Do not sell your house, car, or other property, resign from your job, or make non-refundable travel arrangements until you have received your immigrant visa.
• If your visa packet is sealed, do not open it. Carry it unopened to an immigration officer at a port of entry, along with your passport and valid visa.
• If your visa has the annotation "IV Docs in CCD", you will not receive a sealed packet. In this case, you may travel with just your passport and valid visa, as your case is an electronic immigrant visa application.
• If you are subject to the provisions of section 216 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (i.e., if you have not celebrated the second anniversary of your marriage, which forms the basis of your immigrant status), you will be granted conditional permanent residence. You and your spouse will need to file a joint petition (Form I-751) with USCIS to remove the conditional basis of your status. This petition must be filed within the 90-day period before the second anniversary of being granted conditional permanent resident status.
• If you plan to live outside the US for more than 12 months in the future, you must apply for a re-entry permit before departing from the US. The maximum validity of this document is two years.
• If your relocation is permanent, you should formally abandon your permanent resident status by returning your "green card" with a completed I-407 form to the local US Embassy or Consulate.

By following these steps, you can ensure that you are well-prepared for your travel to the United States and can avoid potential issues or delays in your entry and residence in the country.

Frequently asked questions