The US Consulate on Thursday announced a new visa processing system with no change in fees in an effort to put an end to the present chaos. The new system is expected to standardise the system further and simplify the process of paying visa fee and scheduling appointment for the applicants.
US Consulate officials said from September 26 onwards, visa applicants will have the option to pay the application fee through Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) or on their mobile phones. In a first, applicants will be able to schedule their appointments either online or on phone. Officials said applicants will have to make two appointments before visa interviews, and visit an Offsite Facilitation Centre to submit their fingerprints and a photograph. Located outside the US embassy and consulates in New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai, the OFCs will reduce congestion at the consular facilities and expedite processing, said an official.
“Most applicants will need to visit an OFC only once,” said Julia Stanley, minister counsellor for consular affairs. She said the new system allows for bulk purchase of fee receipts, coming as a big help for corporate entities and travel agents, and within an hour of payment, applicants will receive an SMS informing that the receipt has been activated. However, applicants should still meet requirements for the appropriate visa class.