Procedural Update from the Chennai Consulate
Posted Jun 10, 2000

The U.S. Consulate at Chennai (formerly Madras), India has announced some procedural changes in May 2000, relating to the following issues:

a) method of payment for visa fees,
b) the H-1B fast track program, and
c) new fee schedule.

Effective June 1, 2000 all fees must be paid by demand drafts issued by nationalized and foreign banks. Drafts are to be made payable to “American Consulate General.” Please note that demand drafts from cooperative banks are no longer acceptable.

The H-1B fast-track program, in effect only since March 2000 (described in the February 25, 2000 issue of the MURTHYBULLETIN) is now being discontinued as of June 1, 2000. Only a very small number of applicants have taken advantage of the fast-track procedures, so the Consulate has decided that it is not worth the time, effort and expense to keep the program going.

The Consulate also announced a new fee schedule, to be effective from June 5, 2000. These changes seem to be mainly due to a change in the exchange rate, as the new rates are only slightly higher than the previous fees, which took effect from April 15, 2000. For example, the visa issuance fee, which was Rs. 3300 as of April 15, 2000, will now be Rs. 3375 from June 5, 2000.

Fees are as follows :

Non-Immigrant visa fees :

Visa processing fee Rs 2025 (non-refundable fee paid regardless of whether the visa is issued)
Visa issuance fee Rs 3375

Immigrant visa fees :

Application fee: Rs 11,700
IV issuance fee: Rs 2925
Returning resident visa issuance fee: Rs 2250
Transportation Letter: Rs. 5400
Fiance visa fee: Rs 2025

Fees for U.S. passports :

Applicants under age 16: Rs 1800
Applicants over age 16: Rs 2700
Passport Renewal: Rs 1800

Other Service fees :

Notarial services: Rs. 2475
Certifying true copies: Rs. 900