Chennai Consulate Temporarily Curtails Visa Services
Posted Mar 18, 2000

The U.S. Consulate at Chennai (formerly Madras), India, has announced that no immigrant visa interviews will be scheduled during March 13 through 24, 2000. As for nonimmigrant visas, the Consulate will be accepting only drop-box and business express cases, no in-person applications, from March 14 through 24.

In its announcement, the consulate also provided a recap of the types of applicants who can apply via the drop-box, including those who:

A. Have a valid visa of the same category; or

B. Have made multiple trips to countries outside of India since 1995; or

C. Have had a five year visa which expired less than three years ago; or

D. Are spouses or children under 16 of one of the above categories; or

E. Are parents of a U.S. citizen who is over the age of 21; or

F. Are persons over the age of 60, even if they have never traveled; or

G. Are diplomats or officers of the Indian Administrative Services, Indian Foreign Service, Indian Police Officer or Indian Military (Major or above) with a "no objection letter" showing formal permission to leave; or

H. Are Seamen with a previous C-1/D visa and a letter from a recognized
shipping agency; or

I. Are members of an airline crew serving on U.S. bound flights from
India; or

J. Are returning students or returning exchange visitors; or

K. Are applicants for J-1 visa going on a U.S. government ("G")
program; or

L. Are employees of a company approved to participate in the business
Express Program and going to the United States on company business; or

M. Are H-1B/4 visa holders renewing their visa; or

N. Are dependents of an H-1B, F-1, J-1 or L-1 visa holder; or

O. Are mentally or physically disabled persons.