New Delhi: Touts & Others who prey on NIV applicants

[priyas]

All:

Please take heed: nonimmigrant visa applicants are being taken advantage of by certain individuals who hang around or who are in the vicinity of the U.S. Embassy, New Delhi.

Some examples:

1. When the Embassy/Consulates change the nonimmigrant fees certain people hang around offering demand drafts to make up the difference. Although this might seem like a useful service, people pay far more than the face value of the demand draft. Some individuals have paid Rs. 400 to Rs. 1000 for a Rs. 100 demand draft. Instead the applicant only needs to take a five to ten minute walk to a nearby shopping area to obtain the demand draft. The shopping area is called Malcha Marg. There are banks there. The best advice is don’t panic if you are turned away from the window. Think about what you were told by Embassy staff and then go get the demand draft.

2. The next problem is rickshaw drivers. These drivers are known to try and extract up to Rs. 200 to go to the Malcha Marg shopping area. The real cost is more like Rs. 20. Malcha Marg is a short distance away. You might as well walk, if you can, and ask bystanders how to get there along the way.

3. Another issue is when you need to get a new photo. Although the price of the photo might be more than you want to pay, it is hard to stop unscrupulous traders. You could try to haggle or barter. What you shouldn’t do is get caught out by the rickshaw drivers. You can get a new photo in Malcha Marg. It’s very nearby; just take a little walk. Again, don’t panic.

4. The last problem is people who need to get special forms, such as the e-visa DS-156 form. If you need to go to an Internet or cyber café (not surprisingly there is one in Malcha Marg) try do not get caught out by those who offer to fill in forms for you and print them off. Some of these people will try and get as much money out of you as possible. One individual has paid Rs. 500 to have a form filled in. Another paid more than that to get it printed off. Don’t let these people get away with this. Haggle and barter. Don’t let them prey on you and your concerns about not getting back in time for your interview. For most people with some knowledge of computer the forms are easy to fill in and print. Just go to the Department of State’s website click on the 'Visas' link then look down the left menu until you see the ‘Forms’ link. Click on it and the forms menu with pop up. Complete the form and print off.

**Tips:

1. Don’t panic if you are asked to get a demand draft, photo or form. You will still be able to have an interview. Most applicants have more than enough time to get what is required and return to the Embassy
2. Listen to the Embassy staff when they offer advice or instructions.
3. Haggle and barter with drivers and traders. This is India, right?
4. Avoid the touts outside the Embassy
5. Don’t panic. This is worth repeating for those who don’t come from Delhi.
6. Don’t go home with an empty wallet or purse.

[immihelp]

Very useful information. Thank you for posting it.

You won't believe, when I went to the US consulate in Mumbai for the first time, I didn't know the exact name the demand draft should be made payable to. I wrote 'US Consulate Mumbai' instead of 'American Consulate General Mumbai'.
Of course, this was very long time back and no internet existed, no websites like this existed.

At that time, the visa fee was $20 and the demand draft was for Rs. 720. I was standing in line the whole night and in the morning this demand draft guy comes and I found out that the name was wrong. I paid Rs. 900 to get the new demand draft.

[priyas]

Very useful information. Thank you for posting it.

Immihelp:

Thanks. Don't forget, the U.S. Consular Fees change on November 13th. Watch out for the touts; keep your hard earned cash in your pockets. Edit: today, November 8th the Visa Issuance Fee was scrapped for Indians. Goodbye touts. Enjoy your $50.

(By the way, it is probably better to use U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate General Mumbai etc. on demand drafts, despite advice to write otherwise from some quarters. It does not matter though if you write American as they will except the demand draft with either wording.

The use of the word 'American' is actually incorrect and is only popular due to widespread use. The actual name of the country is the United States [of America]. The name of the Embassy is the Embassy of the United States [of America]. America is, after all, a continent not a country.)