New US Visa rules announced

United States, 10th May: The United States immigration department has issued new US visa rules to become applicable from 1st June, 2010 onwards.

Under the new US visa rules, the process of applying for US visas will be done online. This will include making prior appointments for interviews. 

The new online US visa process will need just one form to be filled instead of three forms required under the old US visa rules.

Briefing the press about the changes, the US consular, Bridgette Anderson said that the changes have been made only in the method of applying for NIV (Non-Immigrant Visa) while the content of DS-160 form remains unchanged.

Moreover, every group or family member was required to submit different US visa forms, but under new rules, families and groups will need to fill just one application form. This will result in making the US visa process much simpler, less time-consuming and less paper-work especially for those who need to go to the US as a group like families or choirs since a single US visa application will be all what they need.

The new online US visa process makes it possible to fill in the application form just once and save it for any reference in the near future. It will also help in reducing the paper work required to be carried along for an interview for the US visa. 

Announcing the new US visa rules, the US consular, Bridgette Anderson said that one of the most significant things is the requirement for an applicant to provide evidence of ties with their native country.

Anderson has advised all applicants for US visas to act in advance and submit their applications at least two to three months before time since the facility of fast visa processing will be available only for students and any medical emergencies.

There will be no change in the processing fee for US visa applications for all applicants except students who will now be charged an additional service fee of $200. The US visa fee will continue to be $131 as earlier. 

The normal time required for filling an online US visa application form will take around 40 minutes. Once the form is duly filled, the next step will be to submit the form electronically and get a print copy of confirmation page which includes a confirmation number. The confirmation number will be required to get the date of the interview appointment.