New F, M and J student and exchange visitor applicants can now apply for their visa up-to 365 days ahead of their program start date. However, it is important to remember that one can enter the U.S. only 30 days prior to the program start date. Previously, students could apply only up to 180 days…

In a recent tweet, the U.S. Consular Mission in India has notified that B1/B2 visa applicants traveling abroad could appear for the visa interview at the U.S. consular post in the country of destination. Given that wait times in India are over 500 days for most B1/B2 applicants, this is a welcome relief. At the time…

Effective December 12, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated its Policy Manual to provide a 24-month automatic extension of Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards) for lawful permanent residents (LPRs) who properly file a Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, on or after that date. Background Prior to this, applicants who had filed for naturalization within…

Effective January 8, 2023, applicants visiting the Hyderabad Visa Application Center (VAC) for scheduled appointments, document submission and passport collection are required to visit its new location at Lower Concourse, HITEC City Metro Station, Madhapur, Hyderabad – 500081. It should be noted that there is no change in the address of the U.S. Consulate in Hyderabad,…

On December 23, 2022, The Department of State (DOS) announced that consular officers will continue to be authorized to waive in-person interviews on a case-by-case basis for certain nonimmigrant visa categories through December 31, 2023. The authorization to waive in-person interviews for certain other applicants renewing a visa in the same classification within 48 months…

On October 04, 2022 an update on the U.S. Embassy in India’s website reported that the Consular Exchange Rate will be revised from INR 82 to INR 84 against one U.S. dollar. There is a discrepancy, the U.S. Embassy’s website has reported that the consular exchange revision will be effective October 4, 2022 which, we…

Non-immigrant U.S. visa applicants need to pay a visa application fee (also known as machine readable visa fee or MRV fee). This fee varies based on the category of visa that a person applies for. Prior to COVID, the MRV fee was valid for a period of 365 days. Since COVID, the U.S. Department of…

Non-immigrant U.S. visa applicants need to pay a visa application fee (also known as machine readable visa fee or MRV fee). This fee varies based on the category of visa that is applied for. Prior to COVID, the fee was valid for a period of 365 days. During COVID, the department of state had extended…