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FAQs

Damaged, Expiring or Incorrect Visas and Passports

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  • Why does my visa say "FNU"?

    Why does my visa say "FNU"?

    • If you have only one name, or if your name appears in one line in your passport, your full name goes in the surname field and "first name
      unknown", or "FNU," goes in the given name. We recommend obtaining a new passport with given and surnames if possible.
  • My passport expires within the next year, but I want to apply for a U.S. visa. What should I do?

    My passport expires within the next year, but I want to apply for a U.S. visa. What should I do?

    • Please obtain a new passport before you pay any visa fees or book an appointment. If you have an urgent need to travel, email infouskolkata@vfshelpline.com with your passport number and explanation of the emergency to see if you can proceed with your appointment.

      Please obtain a new passport before your interview if:

      • Your passport is going to expire in less than 6 months after the time you enter the United States.

      • The film on the biographic data pages of your passport (i.e., page with your photo and back page with your parents' information) is separating from the pages in your passport, or

      • Your passport is otherwise torn, damaged, mutilated or has been washed or laundered.

  • My passport is going to expire soon. It contains a valid U.S. visa. Do I need to get a new visa for my new passport?

    My passport is going to expire soon. It contains a valid U.S. visa. Do I need to get a new visa for my new passport?

    • No. As long as the passport issuing authority does not punch holes through your U.S. visa, you may use it to travel to the U.S. You should carry both your new, valid passport and your old passport that contains your U.S. visa.
  • I just received a U.S. visa, but it has been accidentally damaged. Do I need to reapply?

    I just received a U.S. visa, but it has been accidentally damaged. Do I need to reapply?

  • My visa was printed incorrectly. What do I do?

    My visa was printed incorrectly. What do I do?

    • If you think your visa was printed incorrectly and your visa interview took place at the U.S. Consulate, Kolkata, please email infouskolkata@vfshelpline.com and explain why you think there is an error.  If necessary, we will provide instructions on how to submit your passport.
  • I received a B1/B2 visa from a previous employer. If I have left that job, is it still valid for traveling with a new company or will that visa be cancelled?

    I received a B1/B2 visa from a previous employer. If I have left that job, is it still valid for traveling with a new company or will that visa be cancelled?

    • The visa is valid until its expiration date.  B1/B2 visas are issued to individuals, not employers.

Working in the United States

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  • Can I check Petition Information Management Service (PIMS)in advance?

    Can I check Petition Information Management Service (PIMS)in advance?

    • No, you cannot check it in advance. The officer will verify the details the day of the appointment. PIMS updates usually take 2-3 days; there is no way to expedite this process.
  • Will my B1/B2 visa be cancelled when I apply for an H1-B?

    Will my B1/B2 visa be cancelled when I apply for an H1-B?

    • No, you can hold a B visa and an L or H work visa at the same time. However, if you are issued a B1 in Lieu of H visa, your B1/B2 visa will be cancelled.
  • I am a holder of a valid H-1B/L-1 visa but want to change my employer. What do I do?I am a holder of a valid H-1B/L-1 visa but want to change my employer. What do I do?

    I am a holder of a valid H-1B/L-1 visa but want to change my employer. What do I do?I am a holder of a valid H-1B/L-1 visa but want to change my employer. What do I do?

  • I left the U.S. and have a valid petition, but my visa has expired. I need to return to the U.S. to continue my work. What do I do next?

    I left the U.S. and have a valid petition, but my visa has expired. I need to return to the U.S. to continue my work. What do I do next?

    • You must apply for a new visa to re-enter the U.S.
  • I was recently in the U.S. and changed my status from one classification to another, for example, F-1 to H-1B. Do I need a visa to return to the U.S.?

    I was recently in the U.S. and changed my status from one classification to another, for example, F-1 to H-1B. Do I need a visa to return to the U.S.?

    • Yes. You must apply for the appropriate visa and bring to your visa
      interview appointment an I-797 Form (Notice of Action) that shows you
      changed your status.
  • Working at US

    Working at US

Arriving in America / I-94

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  • I did not turn in my I-94 when I left the United States. What should I do?

    I did not turn in my I-94 when I left the United States. What should I do?

  • How long can I stay in the United States?

    How long can I stay in the United States?

    • If you are allowed to enter the U.S., the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official will determine the length of your visit on the Arrival-Departure Record (Form I-94, below). Since Form I-94 documents your authorized length of stay in the U.S., it's very important to keep it with your passport. You must depart the U.S. on or before the last day you are authorized to be in the U.S. on any given trip. Failure to do so could affect your eligibility to obtain visas in the future.
  • More Information

    More Information

Refusals 214(b) and Administrative Processing 221(g)

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  • What if my case is pending for Administrative Processing under Section 221(g)?

    What if my case is pending for Administrative Processing under Section 221(g)?

    • If the consular officer puts your case on hold under Section 221(g),it means your visa application was not complete or requires further administrative action. Processing times are different for every applicant. When the processing is finished, the passport will be returned to you by courier.

      Before you contact us, please know that we cannot provide updates on your status once the processing has begun, and we cannot expedite the processing of your case.

      Please see Refused and Pending Visas for more information. Check you visa case status.

  • Can I reapply if I was refused a visa under 214(b)?

    Can I reapply if I was refused a visa under 214(b)?

    • If you now have new information, or if your overall circumstances have changed significantly, you may re-apply following the same procedures as any other applicant. Re-applying is the only way to have your application reconsidered.
  • Why didn't the Consular Officer give me time to explain?

    Why didn't the Consular Officer give me time to explain?

    • The Consular Officer who refused your visa is trained to evaluate all aspects of your case, such as your financial and family situation in India, your stated intent in visiting the United States, your travel history, and many other factors. The Officer asked the appropriate questions to obtain the relevant information, weighed your answers with the other facts of your case, and made a decision based on that information.
  • Why didn't the Consular Officer look at my documents?

    Why didn't the Consular Officer look at my documents?

    • Applying for a non-immigrant visa is not a documentary process. Consular Officers never rely only on documents, although they may help support information you provide at the interview. If the Consular Officer made a decision in your case without reviewing documents, it was because the circumstances of your situation were clear. If your visa was refused, it is highly unlikely that any document you could provide would significantly alter the Consular Officer's decision about your case.
  • Why can't I get my money back?

    Why can't I get my money back?

    • All applicants for a U.S. visa must pay a non-refundable application fee. It cannot be returned if you fail to establish that you qualify for the visa.

Lost or Stolen Passport or Visa

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  • What should I do if my visa is lost or stolen?

    What should I do if my visa is lost or stolen?

    • You must report the loss of your passport and visa to the local Indian Police and obtain a police report. Please report the loss of the visa to the Fraud Prevention Unit at: fpukolkata@state.gov

      Your name, date and place of birth, and nationality.

      Your address and phone number.

      A photocopy of the lost visa, if available, or the date and place of issuance, if known.

      A photocopy of the bio-data page of your lost passport, if available.  If not, the nationality
      and number of your lost passport as well as the issuance and expiration dates, if available.

      Circumstances of the loss: When and how your passport was lost or stolen.

Appointments and Interviews

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  • How soon should I apply for my appointment?

    How soon should I apply for my appointment?

    • Apply early! Check here for wait times for appointments by posts.

      Although the majority of applications are processed and ready to pick up within 2 business days, some applications will require administrative processing. We cannot predict in advance which applications will require administrative processing, not do we know how long it will take. Please apply at least 6-8 weeks before you plan to travel, and do not book tickets or hotels until you have a visa.
  • When will new appointment slots open?

    When will new appointment slots open?

    • Reducing wait times is one of our top priorities. We release appoints several weeks in advance. If those appointments are immediately filled, we assess our capacity for opening new appointments, and release those dates incrementally.

  • I need to travel a few days after my interview. Can I take my passport with me at the end of the interview?

    I need to travel a few days after my interview. Can I take my passport with me at the end of the interview?

    • Yes. After you return from your travels, send your passport back to the Consulate. We will then continue to process and print your visa and will return you passport by courier. Email infouskolkata@vfshelpline.com for more information about resubmitting your passport.

  • My wife and I just had a baby. Do babies need appointments?

    My wife and I just had a baby. Do babies need appointments?

    • The application process is the same for babies as it is for adults, except they do not need a separate appointment. In other words, you must pay all applicable fees, and follow the application process for each applicant. Note: this exception to standard procedures is only for new children.

  • My child needs a visa. Do my wife and I have to attend the visa interview with our child?

    My child needs a visa. Do my wife and I have to attend the visa interview with our child?

    • Yes. Both parents should attend the visa interview with their child if possible. Where one parent is unable to attend the visa interview with the child, the absent parent should provide a letter to their wife or husband that states they have no objection to the child's application for a visa.
  • Can I accompany an applicant into the waiting room?

    Can I accompany an applicant into the waiting room?

    • No, only applicants with appointment letters are allowed inside. Exceptions are allowed for those requiring a translator (if none is available); for the hearing impaired; for wheelchair attendants in some cases for new mothers with babies. The decision to admit non-applicants is at the discretion of the security personnel.
  • How long before my planned travel date should I apply for a visa?

    How long before my planned travel date should I apply for a visa?

    • The Check here current wait time for visa appointments.

      Some visas may not be issued immediately after the interview due to required additional administrative processing. We cannot predict how long that process will take, so please do not make travel plans until your visa has been issued.
  • How do I reschedule an appointment?

    How do I reschedule an appointment?

Students and Exchange Visitors

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  • What if I receive an I-20 Form from a better school?

    What if I receive an I-20 Form from a better school?

    • If you receive an SEVIS I-20 Form from a better school and wish to attend that school you will need to change the name of the school printed on your visa. To do this you will have to apply for another visa and pay the Application Fee and Service Charge again.
  • How soon can I apply for my student visa?

    How soon can I apply for my student visa?

    • You cannot apply earlier than 120 days from the start date on your I-20 or DS-2019. If you receive your visa, you are not allowed to enter the U.S. more than 30 days before the start date on your I-20 or DS-2019. You should apply as you soon as possible in case of delays issuing your visa.
  • Am I required to pay the first year's tuition expenses in advance and show a receipt from the school?

    Am I required to pay the first year's tuition expenses in advance and show a receipt from the school?

    • No. Payment of tuition expenses in advance is good evidence that you can finance your studies in the U.S., but it is not a requirement to pay in advance and show a receipt.
  • How do I prove I can pay for the program? What financial documents will you review?

    How do I prove I can pay for the program? What financial documents will you review?

    • Financial documents are not required for visa interviews. Typically, officers will not review these documents and will ask you questions about how you plan to pay. Documents are not forbidden, and may on occasion be reviewed, but we discourage applicants from going through trouble and expense of gathering accountant's statements and property appraisals.
  • My academic program is starting soon but there are no more appointments available this month. What should I do?

    My academic program is starting soon but there are no more appointments available this month. What should I do?

  • It is three days before the start date on my I-20 and my visa is still being processed. What should I do?

    It is three days before the start date on my I-20 and my visa is still being processed. What should I do?

    • Please contact your school and request an extension letter or a new I-20. Inform them that your visa is still being processed. When you receive an extension letter or new I-20, please send a copy to the Consulate immediately. Please remember that visa processing cannot be expedited.
  • I am an unmarried female student going to study in the U.S. Can my father (or my brother) receive a student visa to accompany me to the United States?

    I am an unmarried female student going to study in the U.S. Can my father (or my brother) receive a student visa to accompany me to the United States?

    • Only children under 21 and spouses qualify to accompany students. Other family members must apply for a Business and Tourism (B1/B2) visa. This means that the family member will not be able to live in the United States for the full term of the F1 student visa, and must exit the country within the time given by the Customs and Border Protection officer. Most visitors on a B1/B2 visa are admitted for six months, after which they must depart or seek an extension.
  • Can the "Two-Year Foreign Residency Requirement" be waived?

    Can the "Two-Year Foreign Residency Requirement" be waived?