U.S.

VISAS
U.S. Department of State • Bureau of Consular Affairs

THE STRAIGHT FACTS ON U.S. VISAS IN INDIA

Myth: The U.S. government does convention and sporting event Myth: Business people often miss
not care about Indian travelers organizers who invite employees, appointments and meetings in the
and does not understand how current and prospective business United States because they cannot
important these travelers are to clients, partners, or athletic teams to get interviews on time.
the U.S. economy. the United States. U.S. businesses
and organizations may contact Fact: The average wait time for
Fact: The U.S. government businessvisa@state.gov, or call scheduling a visa interview is
welcomes Indian travelers and 202-485-7675 for more information. consistently less than one week, and
continues to improve the process in some cases only a couple of days.
of applying for a visa. We endeavor Myth: It is hard for H1 and L1 Mission India strives to keep visa
to protect the U.S. border while applicants to get visas in India. appointment wait times very short.
facilitating the travel of legitimate During the busiest season of May
visitors. Increased travel strengthens Fact: India is by far the single largest and June, wait times may increase
our people-to-people ties and beneficiary of H1B and L1 visas. an additional week or two. Even
enhances both our economies. The U.S. embassy and consulates in during the busy season, applicants
India-wide, the four consulates India issued over 101,800 H1B visas with urgent business or family travel
(Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and in FY 2014, a nine percent increase can request for expedited interview
Kolkata) and the embassy in New from the previous fiscal year. Indian appointments to receive two-day
Delhi issued more than 708,700 citizens also receive more L1 visas service.
nonimmigrant visas in FY 2014, up than nationals of any other country.
18.4 percent over the previous year. Mission India issued more than 17,200 More details can be found on
L1 visas in FY 2014, representing 29.6 http://www.ustraveldocs.com/
U.S. embassies and consulates have percent of the worldwide total. To in/index.html for nonimmigrant
established procedures to expedite streamline the processing of blanket visa applications. This portal
interview appointments for business L1 visas and ensure consistent has instructions and links to all
travelers. U.S. officials work closely outcomes, the consulate in Chennai required steps for nonimmigrant
with business groups in more than processes all blanket L1 cases visas. There is information on
100 countries, including India, to for India. group appointments and other
streamline the visa process for special services geared for business
business travelers. The Department’s travelers. For callers in India, call +91
Business Visa Center can explain 120 4844644 or +91 40 46258222.
visa application procedures to U.S. For inquiries from the United States,
companies, organizations, and call 1-703-520-2239.

WEB: travel.state.gov FACEBOOK: facebook.com/travelgov TWITTER: @travelgov

Myth: It is now harder than ever outside of the United States that
for Indian students to come and will ensure the applicant’s departure
study in U.S. universities. after a temporary visit.

Fact: We welcome all legitimate Myth: The applicant was refused

students to the United States. because the consular officer
India has the second highest did not properly look at the
number of students studying in applicant’s documents and the
higher-education institutions in interview was too short.
the United States. Indian students
make up nearly 12 percent of Fact: Document review and
all international students in U.S. interview length are less important
higher education. Consular officers than the information shared by
are trained to handle each visa applicants with consular officers.
application as an individual case Officers rely more on the application
and to issue visas to all applicants form and their interviews with
who qualify. applicants than on the documents.
Officers aim to conduct efficient
Myth: An applicant needs to interviews, directly focusing on the
know someone in the embassy or pertinent issues. Generally, longer
consulate to get a visa. interviews are conducted only when
necessary. Quicker interviews also
Fact: An applicant’s qualifications – allow consular sections to receive
as presented in the visa application more interviewees in a timely
and at the visa interview – and U.S. manner.
law are the only bases on which
we make visa decisions. U.S. law
prohibits embassy and consulate
officials from providing unofficial
assistance to visa applicants.
Knowing someone in the embassy
or consulates will not help you get
a visa.

Myth: The embassy or consulate

will only give visas to rich people.

Fact: Consular officers are trained

to look at all of the facts presented
during a visa interview, not just an
individual’s financial status, when
determining eligibility. While
conducting visa interviews, consular
officers look at each application
individually and consider the
applicant’s circumstances, travel
plans, financial resources, and ties

WEB: travel.state.gov FACEBOOK: facebook.com/travelgov TWITTER: @travelgov