How to Apply for a U.S. Visa from India

All visa applicants (except the ones mentioned in steps 5 and 6 below), must make appointments for a visa interview and fingerprint collection.

Please follow this procedure for getting a non-immigrant visa in India:

1. Determination
   Determine whether you need visa. Citizens of certain countries can qualify to travel under visa waiver program. Citizens of India do not qualify for the same. 
   
   Of course, if you already have the U.S. visa consistent with the purpose of your travel, you don’t need another visa.
   
   
2. Application Form 
   Fill DS-160 form. 
   
   Print the DS-160 confirmation page that has CEAC barcode on it. 
   
   
3. Create a Profile 
   Create a profile and perform steps 1 through 10 of the schedule an appointment, until you see the payment confirmation screen.
   
   
4. Visa Fees 
   Pay the Application Fee at any of the branches of designated banks or through other payment options. 
   
   Step 2 and 3 can be done interchangeably in any order. 
   
   
5. Schedule Appointments 
   The time it takes to get the fee receipt activated may vary from three hours to 2 business days, depending upon how you make the payment. Do not attempt to take an appointment until then. You will require the receipt number (bank reference number) from the visa fee receipt.
   
   Most people must schedule two appointments: one for Visa Application Center (VAC) for fingerprints and photograph and another one for the consular interview. You must schedule a visa interview appointment first and then schedule a VAC appointment.
   
   Certain applicants that qualify for interview waiver program need not schedule a visa interview appointment, or among them, certain others do not need to schedule a VAC appointment either. Applicants under 14 years or over 80 years need not schedule any appointment.
   
   Step by step instructions to schedule an appointment 
   
   You will need your passport number, visa application fee receipt number, and ten digit barcode number from your DS-160 confirmation page in order to schedule an appointment.
   
   You need to print your appointment letter. 
   
   
6. Visit the VAC Location 
   On the day of your VAC appointment, visit the VAC location to get your biometric information, such as the fingerprints and photograph, collected.
   
   You must bring the following documents to your VAC appointment:
   • Passport
   • DS-160 confirmation page
   • Appointment confirmation page.
   • One photograph if the applicant is under 14 years of age.
     
     Renewal applicants need not do this step, provided they have already visited a VAC location during their previous visa application. Certain applicants that qualify for interview waiver program need not do this step based on their age or if they are renewing the visa.
     
     
7. Interview 
   Report to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where your appointment for a visa interview is scheduled, at least 15 minutes advance in the scheduled appointment time. 
   
   You will need to bring the visa application fee receipt number, your interview appointment letter, DS-160 confirmation page stamped at the VAC, all current & old passports, and all original supporting documents as listed in the appropriate sections (Visitors Visa, Business Visa, H1/H4 visa, L1/L2 visa, Student Visa) to the interview. 
   
   Exceptions:
   • Children from the ages of 8 to 14 are required to appear in person at the embassy/consulate for the interview along with both parents. In case one parent is unable to attend the visa interview, the absent parent should provide a letter to the other parent (who is going to attend the interview) that states that they have no objection to the child’s application for a U.S. visa.
     
     
   • In addition, applicants who are 80 years old or older, and have not been previously found ineligible for a U.S. visa, are not required to come to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in person to apply for nonimmigrant visas. Applicants for A1, A2, C2, C3, G1, G2, G3, or G4 categories do not need to attend the interview in person either.
     
     All other rules, requirements, and fees for both a child’s visa interview and for those 80 or older remain in effect.
     
     There is no guarantee of visa issuance for those not appearing in person. After reviewing an application, the U.S. Embassy/Consulate may still require him/her to appear in person for a visa interview at the embassy/consulate.
     
     In case you get any highly infectious disease, such as conjunctivitis (pink eye), you will not be allowed to enter into the consulate. Make sure to reschedule your appointment immediately after the date when you are expected to be fully recovered.
     
     
8. Visa Issuance 
   If you are issued a visa, your passport will be returned by the courier to the passport/visa collection location you specified at the time of taking an appointment or was later changed any time before the day of the interview.
   
   Passport delivery details

Read experiences of others about US Visa Stamping in India.