This is the second of our two-part article on the subject of applying for a U.S. Nonimmigrant Visa in India. Here we provide information on completing appropriate visa application forms online, scheduling the visa interview, preparation for the visa interview and on procedure post visa interview.

Now that we have purchased the HDFC receipt and chosen the appropriate U.S. Consulate / Embassy to apply for the Nonimmigrant Visa, the next step is to complete the appropriate visa application forms online, which is a pre-requisite to schedule a visa interview.

Step 3: Completing the appropriate visa application forms online and selecting the interview date:

Language preference

Applicants have the option of selecting their language of preference at the time of scheduling the interview. For appointments in regional language, one should choose the language at the time of scheduling. Changing the language after scheduling an appointment is not possible.

Required forms

All U.S. nonimmigrant visa applicants are required to complete the Form DS-156; applicants aged between 15 to 55 need to complete the supplementary Form DS-157 and all F, M and J applicants have to complete the additional DS-158.

Basic tips to complete the DS forms 

Applicants must understand that, irrespective of who completes the forms or provides supporting documentation, the applicant is responsible for the content and signs this document under penalty of perjury. Common misrepresentations include issues related to being the beneficiary of an immigrant visa petition, as well as the question regarding the applicant’s relatives in the United States. Prior visa refusals must also be revealed.

For applicants with only one name, enter that name in Item # 6 of the DS-156 form (surnames) and write “FNU” which means “First Name Unknown” in Item # 7 (First & Middle Names).

Applicants need to provide a residential or hotel address and need to be clear and descriptive as to the purpose of the requested visit.

Multiple applicants 

If there is more than one applicant and it is necessary to apply together, for example H1B and H-4 applicants and families applying for B-2, or a business group traveling for a conference or the same project as part of a team, one may choose the option for adding one or more applicant(s) with a maximum of ten.

Choosing a date for the interview 

Once the forms are completed, the system will allow one to choose the interview date. The time is allotted by the system. The applicant has to confirm the delivery address for the passport to be returned. If there is no delivery in the applicant’s place of residence, s/he can either retrieve the passport from the Blue Dart Delivery location listed or provide an alternate delivery address.

Printing requirements for the forms 

The forms must be printed using a good quality printer, preferably a laser printer to avoid smudging. One must ensure the barcode is printed clearly. Form DS-156 has to be printed back-to-back, on a single sheet of paper. If a third sheet is necessary, this can be printed separately. In case of students, though it may not be mandatory to print the Form DS-158 back-to-back, on a single sheet of paper, it is advisable to do so.

Step 4: Preparation for the interview:

Each applicant must take a full face, color photograph on plain white background, meeting set specifications. You can check this here.
• Applicants must present their valid, original passport, valid for at least six additional months.
• Applicants must bring the appointment letter, forms, and supporting documents to the interview, with the exception of those applying at the U.S. Consulate, Mumbai. Mumbai applicants need to submit the documents to the VFS five working days prior to the date of interview.
• Blanket L visa applicants need to carry the demand draft for the equivalent of U.S. $ 500. Applicants other than Indian or Bhutanese citizens need a demand draft for the applicable visa issuance fees.
• At the interview, applicant(s) need to be honest in their answers and documents.
Step 5: Post interview:

After the interview the applicant will, in most cases, face one of the following situations.
a. Visa Approval – The passport will be retained by consulate. In most instances the passport will be sent to the address provided at the time of scheduling the interview by courier.
b. Sec. 221(g) Refusal – The applicant will receive further information / instructions, in which case the applicant will have to take action within the specified period.
c. Absolute Refusal – In this case, the passport will be returned immediately.
d. Delay in decision, due to the need for a security advisory opinion (SAO), “Administrative Processing,” or delay in the petition information management system (PIMS) update. If a SAO is required, the applicant(s) may have to respond to a questionnaire and when s/he does this, s/he needs to respond as clear and unambiguous as possible. Once this information is submitted, the process could take anything from four weeks to several months.
Conclusion:

The information provided above is general information related to visa application details. The approval or denial of a particular case may depend upon the documentation submitted, and the manner in which information is presented. Many decisions are highly discretionary, depending upon the impression and opinion of the consular officer. Murthy Immigration Services, Pvt. Ltd. assists many visa applicants of all types. While the ultimate decision remains in the hands of the U.S. government, we can help applicants to present the best possible case, within the limits of the law. A well-prepared and presented case is often the difference between approval and denial.

The information in this article is accurate as of the time of writing. However, owing to the frequent change in the visa application procedure and frequent adjustments in consular exchange rates, we strongly advise nonimmigrant visa applicants to visit the website of the appropriate consulate ahead of scheduling the visa interview.