US visa application process to go online from Jan 19

She said,henceforth,the applicants will have to fill a single form instead of the three as is the norm now. The US visa application process starting from mid January next year will include only the DS 160 form instead of DS 156,DS 157 and DS 158.

“After the Visa Facilitation Services form is filled up,it will connect the applicant to a new website,wherein all the details can be filled in the single form,” she said.

She added: “We are also starting the family form,wherein instead of filing separate forms for each individuals,the family members’ names could be added in one single form if they travelling to the US.”

She was addressing travel agents and other immigration services agents on Tuesday morning. Among the other changes,the applicants can now just obtain a confirmation receipt for the payment and schedule for the Visa interview instead of the full form. “We are also introducing digital photographs. The applicants will not have to bring passport pictures. The digital photographs can be uploaded on the same website used for the form,” said Jacobs.

She added that the application and scheduling process of the US Visa will be normally carried out by all the consulates in India.

Jacobs said the US outreach programme is being organised in Vadodara for the first time. She also addressed students in the M S University’s arts faculty as part of the programme. “It is in Vadodara that we have decided to announce new plans to the travel agents as there are a large number of people from this region of Gujarat in the US,” said Jacobs.

New office in Mumbai
Jacobs also announced the opening of a new office for the Mumbai Consulate General in Bandra Kurla. “The new office in Bandra Kurla is bigger than what we have in Mumbai with more space to accommodate the applicants. We hope to lessen the waiting period for the applicants in getting their visa clearances,” added Jacobs.

She said a new Consulate will also be opened in Hyderabad.