A U.S. presidential proclamation issued on September 24, 2017 imposes certain restrictions on the entry of nonimmigrants and immigrants who are nationals of eight countries, namely Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen, and Somalia. Based on a global review conducted, the information sharing practices of these seven countries were classified as “inadequate” and…

At Murthy Immigration Services Pvt. Ltd (MISPL), we often get inquiries from persons seeking to cancel or reschedule a nonimmigrant visa interview. In a recent development, we have observed that the option to reschedule the visa interview through the portal is disabled 24 hours prior to the appointment for biometrics. Prior to this, applicants could…

Nonimmigrant visa applicants may be aware that submitting form DS-160 (online nonimmigrant visa application) is the first step in the visa application process. The form can be created and accessed at the U.S. Department of State’s consular electronic application center’s website. While creating the form DS-160, the applicants must note the unique application ID and…

Our regular readers may be aware that Optional Delivery of Passport / Documents at Preferred Address or Home Delivery was terminated on November 30, 2013. We wish to bring the good news that the U.S. consular posts in India have reinstated the delivery of passport to an optional / home delivery, as of August 10,…

Our regular readers are aware that nonimmigrant visa applicants in India can change the preferred document pick up location online until 11:59 p.m. on the day of the consular visa appointment. We wish to bring the update that the applicants can change the preferred location through the call centre. Applicant(s) should note that the preferred…

Eligible nonimmigrant visa applicants for the “Dropbox” Interview Waiver Program in India must submit two 50mm x 50mm photographs taken on white background. The photos must have been taken within the last 6 months. Agents at the visa application centers do not accept these applications until photographs meeting the specifications and/or dimensions confirmed by the…

In general, the nonimmigrant visa interview dates are available within a week in most of the consular posts in India. However, eligible F-1 students or J-1 exchange visitors who cannot secure an early visa interview can request for an expedited visa interview appointment.  This is limited to students or exchange visitors who intend to begin…

In November 2016, we had reported that the U.S. consular posts in India relaxed the number of times a U.S. nonimmigrant visa applicant may reschedule an interview appointment. Previously, applicants could reschedule their appointments up to fourteen times. This has been recently restricted. Effective immediately, once an interview is scheduled, nonimmigrant applicants are permitted to…