Applicants have been experiencing difficulty, completing the Form DS-160 since late evening on March 2, 2010 due to slow connectivity in the https://ceac.state.gov website while filling DS-160. We at Murthy immigration services Pvt Ltd Chennai have received several calls and eMails from US visa applicants, informing that they were finding it difficult to complete the…

Some of the early applicants for nonimmigrant visa using the form DS-160 since January 19, 2010 would have realized that finding the link to schedule an appointment was very difficult. We at Murthy Immigration Services received several calls seeking assistance on scheduling the appointment using the VFS system. Following this, Murthy Immigration Services brought this…

A recent update on the www.travisaoutsourcing.com, the official agents for scheduling appointments with Indian Missions in the U.S. has notified that in December 2009, the Government of India introduced a new rule that restricts foreigners with tourist visa for India from re-visiting India within two months of the last visit. This new rule affects all…

An update on the U.S. Embassy, New Delhi’s website notifies that with effect from January 19, 2010 all non-immigrant visa applicants need to complete Form DS-160. This form replaces the existing Form DS-156, DS-157 (for applicants aged 15 – 55 years) and DS-158 (for F, M and J applicants) with effect from February 1, 2010.

A recent update on the official website of the Ministry of Home Affairs notifies that the Government of India, with effect from January 1, 2010 has extended “Tourist Visa-on-Arrival” for citizens of five countries. The countries that benefit from this facility are (1) Finland; (2) Japan; (3) Luxembourg; (4) New Zealand and (5) Singapore. This…

An update on American Consulate General, Chennai’s website indicates that they have approved The Apollo Heart Center located at 156 Greams Road, Chennai 600 006 to provide medical examination, immunization and laboratory tests required for immigrant visas. It may also be noted that applicants’ can continue to have the medical examination and immunization done by…

A recent update on the official website of the US Embassy, New Delhi indicates that with effect from November 2, 2009, the exchange rate will be revised to Rs. 48 to one US$ from the existing Rs. 50. Effectively, the nonimmigrant visa application fee will be Rs. 6,288/-. The VFS service fee of Rs. 374/-…

A virtual presence was established at http://bangalore.usvpp.gov/ recently. This is the first of its kind virtual consulate in India. The American corner in Bangalore is a result of partnership between the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Consulate, Chennai and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bangalore. This information is available on the website provided above.

A recent update on the U.S. Consulate General, Hyderabad’s website indicates that U.S. immigrant visa applicants may complete their medical examination at Hyderabad. It is also indicate that the consulate has retained one Dr. Raj Kumar Songa to conduct the medical examination and that Dr. Raj Kumar Songa has entered into an arrangement with Vijaya…

An announcement on the VFS website dated July 27, 2009 indicates that there is a change in timing for counter collection of passport for non-immigrant visa applicant(s) in Mumbai, if the visa is issued and they chose this option. The new timings with immediate effect is between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Indian Standard Time…