A very recent change on VFS website indicates availability of waiver of visa interview for certain non-immigrant visa applicants. As of this writing, other than a reference to this on the VFS website’s home page; there is no formal update or news flash either on the VFS or consular website. Following this, one of the Attorneys from Murthy Immigration Services confirmed with VFS personnel over telephone that this change in procedure has been introduced in the third week of March 2012.
Requirements for VIW to renew the non-immigrant visa(s)
As per the new procedure, certain non-immigrant visa applicants in India, intending to renew their expiring or recently expired visa(s) without a personal visa interview at U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate(s) in India, if they meet the following conditions:
- The applicant should have held a B1/B2 or C1/D or J2 or L2 or H4 visa;
- S/he should currently apply for the same category of visa, which is about to expire, or expired recently (48 months for B1/B2 and 12 months for C1/D, J, L2 or H4 visa);
- The previous visa should have been issued by U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate(s) in India;
- The applicant’s passport delivery address should be within the respective consular district as listed out here; < https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/USIndia/consulardistrictslocation.html>
- The applicant shouldn’t have been refused a visa under any category after the most recent visa issuance;
- If the applicant’s previous visa was issued prior to January 1, 2008, s/he may be required to submit the fingerprints at the U.S. Embassy / U.S. Consulate respectively.
Applicants meeting the above conditions, should complete the non-immigrant visa waiver eligibility checklist available on the VFS website to check if s/he is eligible for visa interview waiver and carry the completed and signed checklist to the VFS.
Documents To Be Submitted By Applicant Only To The U.S. VFS Center Within The Respective Consular District
On inquiry with the VFS it was clarified that applicant(s) will have to personally submit the documents at the VFS center within the consular district of the applicant(s) residence. If s/he has scheduled the visa interview, the applicant should confirm in the appropriate column on the checklist that s/he understands that any existing visa interview will be cancelled. It must be noted that, as of this writing this document submission cannot be delegated.
No Prior Appointment Required
It was further confirmed by the VFS official that prior appointment is not required at this time for submission of documents. However, we expect this to change once more applicants are aware of this procedure.
Visa Not Guaranteed: Importance Of Strong Documentation
This new process does not alter other visa requirements like purchase of HDFC Receipt, completion of DS 160 online application, submission of original passport and other supporting documents. Further, it should be understood that this process does not guarantee a visa and the applicants will have to meet all requirements of the relevant category of visa they are applying for including overcoming the presumption of immigrant intent for certain category of visas.
Since the consular officer will decide each application based on the applicant’s eligibility for the requested visa, prior travel pattern along with supporting information and documents submitted, we recommend that the applicants submit relevant documents to support their application. It must be understood that providing false and misleading information would result in a permanent ineligibility from entering the United States.
Conclusion
We will continue to bring the latest immigration updates and any changes in the visa application procedure. We at Murthy Immigration Services Private Limited have successfully helped thousands of non-immigrants visa applicants to obtain their U.S. visa and by helping them making a clear, honest and unambiguous application. The above information is available on the VFS home page which can be found here.
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