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U.S. Adjusts Consular Exchange Rate

July 28, 2006

Calcutta -- Due to the recent fall in the value of the rupee against other currencies, including the U.S. dollar, effective Monday, August 7, 2006 the United States consular sections in India will adjust the consular exchange rate from Rs. 46 to the dollar to Rs. 48 to the dollar, thereby increasing all rupee denominated costs of applying for visas and passports at the U.S. Embassy and Consulates General.

Effective August 7, the $100.00 nonimmigrant visa application fee, paid at HDFC branch banks prior to the scheduling of visa appointments, will cost Rs. 4,800.00. This does not include HFDC or VFS fees. Applicants who have purchased Rs. 4,600.00 demand drafts prior to August 7, will not be required to bring the additional Rs. 200 to cover the increase.  All nonimmigrant visa fees paid August 7 or later will be in the amount of Rs. 4800.00, plus HDFC and VFS fees.

Applicants for visas that require an issuance fee should submit a demand draft made out to the Embassy or Consulate General in the amount of Rs 2,400.00 to cover the $50.00 issuance fee on the day of the visa interview.  Applicants for student, exchange visitor, transit and crewman visas are not charged issuance fees and therefore do not need to submit the Rs. 2400.00 bank draft.

-- Persons applying for "blanket" L-1 visas at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi or the U.S. Consulates in Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata must pay $500 "fraud prevention and detection fee" at the time they make their visa application. Only the principal applicant applying for the L-1 visa needs to pay this fee. The fee does not apply to any spouse or children applying for a L-2 visa. This fee must be paid via a bank draft for Rs. 24,000 made out to the American Embassy or to the American Consulate General where the applicant will be applying.

New Fees Structure
Nonimmigrant visa application processing fee:
Rs 4,800.00.
Nonimmigrant visa issuance fee: Rs 2,400.00 (for B, H, I, L, N,O, P, Q, R, S, and T visa categories).

U.S. passport applications, minor under 16:
US$ 82 or Rs. 3,936.
U.S. passport applications, minor under 16 lost/stolen/etc.: US$82 or Rs.3936.

U.S. passport applications, adult renewals: US$67 or Rs. 3216.

U.S. passport applications, first time application above 16 : US$97 or Rs.4656.
U.S. passport applications, adult lost/stolen/etc.: US$97 or Rs.4656.

Consular Report of Birth US $65 or Rs.3120.

Notary seal: US$30 or Rs 1,440.

The US Embassy and Consulates General encourage all applicants to fill their applications out online to speed processing at the time of interview. Visa applicants should also be prepared with unmounted, passport-style, full-face color photos with a white background. The pictures should be no more than six months old and should measure between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the photo to the top of the head, or a total area of 2 inch x 2 inch (5cm x 5cm).