Frequently Asked Questions

Is there any preference given when adjudicating visa applications? Is any type of
applicant more likely to receive a visa?
Visas are adjudicated individually, and each applicant is evaluated on his/her own merits. There
is no preference given for any group of applicants, be they students, parents visiting children or
businesspeople going to conferences. Each case is judges on its own merits.
How do I arrange an interview?
To arrange an interview, you must contact the RM.
There are no interview slots available for the next few days and I need to travel
urgently. Can I attend the interview without an appointment?
!o, you need to schedule web appointment. This re"uirement cannot be waived.
How long may I stay in the nited !tates?
#our length of stay in the $nited tates is decided by the $.. %epartment of &omeland
ecurity's (ureau of )iti*enship and +mmigration ervices ,()+- inspector at the port of entry.
"hen will I get my passport after the interview?
+f you "ualify for a visa, the passport with the visa will be returned to you by courier in a few
days.
Can I get my passport immediately after the interview?
+t is the policy of the )onsulate to send your visa to you using our courier service.
I already have a valid visa# do I need to come in for fingerprinting?
.ns/ !o, if you already hold a visa, you need not come to the consulate for fingerprinting. #ou
may travel as long as your visa is valid.
How do I re apply after a visa has been refused?
$%&'b( )efusals
+f you have been refused under ection 012,b- you may choose to reapply and appear in person
for another personal interview. 3lease be aware, however, that in the absence of any significant
change in your situation or new information, it is unli4ely that you will be issued a visa. 3lease
consider this when deciding whether to travel to )hennai. +f you choose to reapply, you may
schedule an appointment for a personal interview by contacting RM.
3lease note that if you have been refused under ection 012,b- and you choose to reapply, you
will be re"uired to fill out a new application form. +n addition, you will also be re"uired to pay
the !+V application fee each time you reapply.
$$%'g( )efusals
3lease clic4 here for information on refusals under $$%'g(.
"hat *bout the +isa )efusal )ate?
+t is important to remember that there is no set issuance/refusal rate. The consular officers who
adjudicate nonimmigrant visas are obligated to issue all visas that are issuable and to refuse
those that must be refused.
"hat are the penalties for overstaying?
. non5immigrant who remains in the $nited tates beyond the authori*ed period of stay or who
violates his or her non5immigrant status may become subject to arrest and deportation.
How can I help my friend get a visa?
.pplying for a visa can seem complicated at times. $nderstandably, many individuals may want
to help a friend, colleague or loved one go through the visa process.
6ne of the most common misconceptions regarding nonimmigrant visas is that someone can act
as a sponsor or offer to guarantee a person's return to their home country. 7e receive many
such well5intentioned letters. $.. immigration law ma4es no provisions for any such
guarantees.
The fundamental rule of applying for a visa is that an applicant must "ualify based on his or her
own circumstances. +f you wish to submit information to us in support of an applicant, please
send it directly to the applicant. The applicant can then share it with us during his/her interview,
or can include it with his/her documents.
I,ve found another website that gives information about .!. visas# should I follow
their instructions and advice?
!o, probably not. The $.. )onsulate 8eneral, )hennai does not endorse any non5$..
government websites. 7e recommend that individuals follow the instructions given by RM and
refer to http///chennai.usconsulate.gov for more info. 9ollowing instructions from non5$..
government websites can lead to e:pensive and time consuming problems for applicants.
"ho can I bring with me to the interview?
3lease do not bring e:tra people to your visa interview, including your .merican citi*en children.
9ood items and bottles of any 4ind are not permitted to be brought into the building. 7e
recommend that you find a baby sitter for your minor $.. citi*en children.
Can I make a group appointment?
9amily members ,principal applicant and dependents- can schedule appointments in the same
time slot via V9. &owever, each &1( visa applicant needs a separate appointment ,even
married couples who each have an &1(-. +n fact, the )onsulate prefers that your spouse and/or
children attend the same interview with you EVE! +9 T&E# 3;.! T6 TR.VE; E3.R.TE;# .T .
;.TER %.TE.
"hat personal items can I bring with me to the interview?
The following items are not permitted inside the )onsulate/ mobile phones, electronic personal
digital assistants, cameras, audio or video recording devices, lap top computers, portable music
players, travel bags, bac4 pac4s, brief cases, suit cases, cosmetics ,including but not limited to
spray perfume/cologne and talcum/baby powder-, bottles of any 4ind, food items, and any
sealed envelopes or pac4ages. This list is not finite, other items may be prohibited based on
security staff discretion. There is no facility at the )onsulate to store prohibited items. +f you
bring prohibited items with you, you will have to dispose of them before entry.
How do I get a visa for my minor child?
The application process is the same for any applicant, regardless of age. Even minor children
need their own appointment. &owever, the minor child,ren- must be accompanied to the
interview by the parents. +f only one parent can attend the interview, the other parent must
send a copy of the absent parent's passport along with a signed, notari*ed, letter of consent
stating that the minor child,ren- have permission to apply for a visa for travel to the $.. 3lease
remember to bring the original birth certificates for the minor child,ren- along with an official
English translation if the birth certificate is not in English.
-y .lanket / application was refused under $$%g. I was told to apply for an individual
/ petition. "hat do I do?
Accenture will decide whether to fle for an individual L petition for you. If the petition is
approved, you may return with your application and supporting documents to the
Consulate in Chennai on any Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday between the hours of
!"!! and #"!! noon. $ou do not need to schedule another appointment and you do
not have to pay the application fees again. If your visa for an individual L is approved,
you would have to pay the visa issuance fee.