June 23, 2004

U.S. Consulates in India To Discontinue Non-immigrant visa Drop Box Processing and will Require Interviews for All Non-immigrant Applicants

The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi will soon announce that the Drop Box Program in Chennai will end for all applicants on July 16, 2004. Starting July 16, 2004, all non-immigrant visa (NIV) applicants in Chennai must schedule an appointment for a personal interview with a consular officer.

Currently, certain non-immigrant visa applicants can apply for their NIVs by dropping off their applications at the TT Services Office branches in Chennai. The advantage of applying through the Drop Box Program is that the NIV applicant does not have to be interviewed by a consular officer to receive the visa. Applicants eligible for the drop box service can continue to use this service until June 30, 2004. Members of the Chennai Business Executive Program, however, may continue submitting non-immigrant visa applications through the drop box until July 15, 2004. Starting on July 16, 2004, no applicants will be allowed to use the Drop Box Program.

The Consulate in Chennai is ending its Drop Box Program because, beginning in July 2004, all U.S. consular sections in India will start electronically collecting biometric data (scanning index fingerprints) from all visa applicants, except those traveling on official government business or who are under age 14 or over age 79. The scanned fingerprint data collected will be entered into security databases to confirm the applicant’s identity and to determine if the applicant is wanted by law enforcement.

As every U.S. consulate will be required to collect biometric data and interview all applicants, other consulates will probably end their drop box programs in the near future.

Greenberg Traurig will provide updates as they become available.