All non-immigrant visa applicants who require an emergency appointment due to any unforeseen travel requirement were originally able to schedule the interview online through VFS website. This process was discontinued in January 2010 and all applicants had to send an email request to the respective consulate to request for an emergency appointment.

This process has been further modified. According to a recent update on VFS website dated May 31, 2011 all applicants requiring emergency appointments should use the “Upgraded Emergency Appointment” module on the VFS website to request an Emergency / Expedited appointment online. Applicants will receive automated response on the status of his/her request for Emergency appointment.

Applicants may still continue to send email to the respective consulate / embassy to schedule the “Emergency Appointment”. Applicants will still have to complete the visa application form DS-160 on the Department of State website and purchase a valid fee receipt from HDFC bank prior to requesting for the emergency appointment. This update can be found here.