The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) had set a deadline of November 24, 2015 for phasing out all non-machine readable passports across the globe. The ICAO is a United Nations specialized agency, created in 1944 by the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention). ICAO along with the Convention’s 191 Member States and global aviation…

With effect from Monday, December 22, 2014 the U.S. consular exchange rate is adjusted to ₹64 to one US$. The consular exchange rate was ₹62 to one US$ prior to this. This revision in the exchange rate will affect the Indian Rupee equivalent for all application fees paid on or after December 22, 2014. The…

Managing Attorney Senthil Kumar was invited to speak at a Seminar on “Doing Business With USA” organized by the Global Trade Driver and Andhra Chamber of Commerce at the Golconda Hotel in Hyderabad recently. Attorney Senthil Kumar and Gnanamookan attended this program and met with Mr. Jamison Fouss, who assumed office as the Chief of…

It is important for U.S. non-immigrant visa applicants to know that once an appointment is scheduled, s/he will not be permitted to update the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) Code (DS160 Confirmation Code) or applicant’s address or other contact information on www.ustraveldocs.com/in; the official visa information and interview scheduling website for U.S. mission in India.…

A recent notification on www.ustraveldocs.com/in, the official U.S. Visa information website for U.S. Missions in India has recently updated that the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India are experiencing technical difficulties and this is causing delay in issuance of visa for some cases. Further, this update also specifically advises student and exchange visitor (F/M/J) applicants…

Regular readers of MurthyIndiaDotCom are aware that the U.S. Citizenship Services Section of the U.S. Consulate General, Chennai, periodically provides outreach services at Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore), to help U.S. citizens. This is usually held on a monthly basis. It is important to note that this outreach will not be conducted in December 2014. This update…

A recent update on the official website of U.S. missions in India announces that the visa section at U.S. Consulate, Kolkata will remain closed to the public from November 10 to 14, 2014. This closure is attributed to renovation work that will be carried out during this period. If any U.S. Visa applicant has scheduled…

Services Section of the U.S. Consulate General, Chennai, periodically provides outreach services at Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore), to help U.S. citizens. The next outreach program at Bengaluru is scheduled from October 14 to 16, 2014. More information on the services offered and procedure to schedule an appointment can be found here.

Regular visitors to MurthyIndiaDotCom and subscribers to MurthyIndiaBulletin may be aware that a non-immigrant visa applicant needed to cancel and existing appointment to be able to schedule a new one. A recent feature on www.ustraveldocs.com/in permits non-immigrant visa applicants in India to reschedule the biometric and visa appointment without having to cancel the existing one,…

A recent update on the U.S. Visa Application Center indicates that non-immigrant visa sections at all U.S. Consular posts in India will remain closed on September 11, 2014. This will affect  non-immigrant U.S. visa appointments scheduled for this day. Biometrics Completed If an applicant’s visa appointment is scheduled for September 11, 2014 and his/her biometrics…