We reported when USCIS launched Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Immigration Records SysTem (FIRST), which allows FOIA requestors to submit, manage, and receive FOIA requests entirely online. As part of phase one, after submission of request by mail, fax, or email, users / FOIA requestors were only able to login to their account and download…

Regular visitors to our website and subscribers to our bulletin would be aware that the immigrant and non-immigrant visa applicants must complete the respective visa application forms on the CEAC website. The CEAC portal for immigrant visa applicants was temporarily unavailable from July 20 to July 31, 2018. On account of this, Immigrant visa applicants…

This update is to alert U.S. non-immigrant visa applicants in India on the availability of visa interview slots for most categories of visa. We had earlier reported on the long wait times at U.S. Embassy and Consulates across India. However, over the last couple of days, we have noticed that several visa interview slots have…

In May 2018, we reported that there is a substantial increase in the average wait time for nonimmigrant visa interview appointments in India. The long wait for nonimmigrant visa appointments continues. On an average, it now takes anything from 5-to-7 weeks or even more at most consulates for a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment. We urge…

Subscribers and regular visitors to MurthyIndiaDotCom may be aware of the eligibility and process involved for Dropbox / Interview Waiver Program (IWP) for nonimmigrant visa applicants in India. Until recently, in order to comply with the interview waiver checklist, a person seeking to renew H or L visa or the respective dependent(s) visa had to…

Interview Waiver Program (IWP) for nonimmigrant U.S. visa applicants in India was introduced in the third week of March 2012. This update can be found here. Since its introduction, this program has constantly evolved. Applicants eligible for the interview waiver program fall under two categories: (i) Interview Waiver (Requiring Biometric Appointment Only) and (ii) Interview…

As our readers are aware, CGI Federal Inc. (CGI Federal) collects and processes information from all U.S. visa applicants in support of visa applications. CGI Federal has updated their privacy policy to keep visa applicants informed on how personal information collected from the visa applicant is handled. U.S. visa applicants are aware that personal data…

USCIS launched Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Immigration Records SysTem (FIRST) on May 30, 2018, allowing users to submit, manage, and receive FOIA requests entirely online. This update can be found here. Earlier, USCIS accepted FOIA requests only by mail, fax, and email. Once requested information was pulled up, requesters/users received their documents on a…

Persons applying for an Indian visa from the United States may be aware that Cox & Kings Global Services (CKGS) is the only authorized Service Provider for the Embassy of India and its Consulates across the United States. Recently, CKGS’s Indian Passport Application Center has changed their contact number to 888-585-5431. This update can be…

Each year, consular posts in India celebrate “Student Visa Day.” This year, consular posts in India will celebrate Wednesday, June 06, 2018 as “Student Visa Day”. On this day, the consular posts will exclusively interview only student visa applicants. Student applicants being interviewed on this day will be treated to a festive atmosphere. Consular staff…