We are often contacted by Immigrant Visa Applicants, seeking clarification on the mode of payment and the consular exchange rate for Immigrant Visa Fees payable at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi or the U.S. Consulate in Mumbai. This article is to clarify this matter.

Regular readers of MurthyIndiaBulletin are aware that all Immigrant Visa Fees, payable at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi or U.S. Consulate in Mumbai must be done in Indian Rupees by way of bank draft (demand draft), drawn on any nationalized or foreign bank favoring “U.S. Embassy, New Delhi” or “American Consulate General, Mumbai” respectively. This fee should be paid according to the current consular exchange rate, which can be found here.

It is important to obtain the demand draft as close to the interview as possible to ensure that there is no revision in the consular exchange rate from the time of purchase of the demand draft to the visa interview. Immigrant visa applicants, who carry demand drafts with difference in the exchange rate will be advised by the U.S. Embassy / Consulate to reschedule their immigrant visa interview and appear with the right fees. To avoid inconvenience and delay in the application process, it is important to carry the demand draft for accurate fee. The latest exchange rate can be found to http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov/ivfees.html or http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/in-niv-visafeeinfo.asp.