We at Murthy Immigration Services are often contacted by U.S. visa applicants inquiring about the difference between U.S. visa application centers and document pick-up / drop-off locations in India.

In this article, we are providing clarity on the same. In India there are only 5 visa application centers. These are located in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata respectively. A visa application center is primarily a place where U.S. visa applicants can provide the biometrics required ahead of a visa interview. While scheduling an appointment on www.ustraveldocs.com/in, only these five locations will be available. This list can be found here. U.S. nonimmigrant visa applicants eligible for interview waiver program (requiring only biometrics) must visit one of these five centers to complete the biometrics.

There are 11 Document pick-up / drop-off locations in India. U.S. visa applicants who are required to submit additional documentation in support of their application following an INA 221(g) request, or need to drop off or pick up their passports per instructions of the consulate may choose to do so from one of these 11 locations. (This includes the five U.S. visa application centers referred above.) This list can be found here. While scheduling the visa appointment, applicants should choose the correct pick-up location. U.S. nonimmigrant visa applicants who are eligible for the drop-box interview waiver program (not requiring biometrics) may choose to submit their application from one of these 11 document pick-up/drop-off locations.

We trust the above information would help U.S. visa applicant to choose a pick-up location closest to his/her residence.