Applying for an Expedited Appointment at the US Consulates in India

August 24, 2020
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The U.S Consulates in India has announced that consular sections at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and the Consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata will begin processing of student and academic exchange visitor visa applications on a limited basis from August 17. On August 12, 2020, the Department of State published the National Interest Exceptions to Presidential Proclamations (10014 & 10052).    If you believe that you or your constituent are eligible for an exception to the Proclamations, please request an expedited appointment through the U.S Consulates website and provide specific details as to why the applicant may qualify for an exception.  If it appears during the visa interview that the Applicant has misrepresented the reasons for urgent travel, such facts will be noted on his case file and may adversely influence the outcome of the visa application. All applicants requesting an expedited appointment are required to first pay visa fees for a regular visa appointment. Applicants who are granted an expedited appointment but subsequently refused a visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate will not be allowed to utilize this option to obtain another expedited appointment. Step 1 Pay the visa application fee. Step 2 Complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160)form. Step 3 Schedule an appointment online for the earliest available date. Please note that you must schedule an appointment before you can request an expedited date. At the time you schedule your appointment, you will see an onscreen message showing the earliest available appointment date, which includes expedited appointments. Accordingly, you may find that it is not necessary to request an expedited appointment because there are no earlier dates available. If you wish to proceed with requesting an expedited appointment, then complete the Expedited Request Form. Please be sure to note the type of urgency you believe qualifies you for an expedited appointment. Once you have submitted your request, please wait for a response from the Embassy or Consulate, which will arrive via email. Step 4 If the Embassy or Consulate approves your request then you will receive an email alerting you to schedule your expedited appointment online. Please understand that the call center cannot schedule your expedited appointment for you, but agents are able to assist you if questions arise. Should the Embassy or Consulate deny your request for an expedited appointment, you will be notified of the denial by email and you should keep your existing appointment. Note: The email confirming or denying your request will come from no-reply@ustraveldocs.com. Some email applications have rules which filter unknown senders into a spam or junk mail folder. If you have not received your email notification, please look for the message in your junk and spam email folders. Step 5 Visit the U.S. Embassy or Consulate on the date and time of your visa interview. You will need to bring a printed copy of your appointment letter, your Form DS-160 confirmation page, one photograph taken within the last six months, your current and all old passports, and the original visa fee payment receipt. Applications without all of these items will not be accepted. Generally, within two business days after you send your request, based on the circumstances, you will receive an email from the Consular Section approving or denying the emergency request. If your emergency appointment is approved, the email will include additional instructions. If your request is denied, your regular appointment is still valid. When you go for the interview, you must have documentary evidence to prove that you satisfy one or more of the criteria for an emergency appointment. This includes a sworn statement from your employer confirming the continued need of the services of the visa applicant and how the applicants meets the exception criteria's as per the Department of States notification on August 12th.  In addition a sworn affidavit from the visa applicant is also required stating how he qualifies for the exception. Please reach out to our office if you need help in completing an expedited appointment request with the U.S Consulates.
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