U.S. Consulate News from India
Posted Nov 18, 2005
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Southern India to See a New U.S. Consulate
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Word has reached The Law Office of Sheela Murthy that the U.S. Consul General in Chennai, David T. Hopper, announced that Hyderabad is preferred over Bangalore for the site of a new U.S. consulate in southern India. In a recent visit to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, for a conference on HIV/AIDS, Hopper told reporters that, while there has not been a final decision, it is more difficult for residents of Hyderabad to make the journey to Chennai in the quest for a visa, than it is for residents of Bangalore.
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Currently, in addition to the U.S. consulate in Chennai, India has consulates in Mumbai and Kolkata and the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. In June 2005, House Resolution 2601, an appropriations bill for the U.S. Department of State for fiscal years 2006 and 2007 was passed by the U.S. Congress. Included in the bill was a clause spearheaded by Congressman Joseph Crowley (Democrat, New York) allowing for an additional consulate in India. Crowley said the additional consulate is needed by his IndianAmerican constituents. The U.S. consulate in Chennai is among the busiest in the world and rapid economic development in south India has also meant an increase in U.S. citizens who visit there. Both Bangalore and Hyderabad are burgeoning centers of impressive high-tech and economic growth. In fighting for the inclusion of his clause, Crowley argued, "Currently, businesses, immigrants, and visitors in southern India have to go to the U.S. consulate in Chennai in order to get a visa or do any other business with the U.S. government. The addition of an additional consulate in either Bangalore or Hyderabad will help both Indians and Americans doing business in southern India." U.S. Consul General Hopper is hopeful Washington will make an announcement in early 2006.
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Revised Exchange Rates for Consular Services
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U.S. consulates in India have revised the exchange rate of Indian rupees to the U.S. dollar. The rate, which was INR 44 to a U.S. dollar is now INR 46 to a U.S. dollar. It is noted that fees are subject to change at any time. MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers are advised to check the appropriate consulate website for the latest information before going to the consulate. Links to the websites of the U.S. consulates in India are available on MurthyDotCom.
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As of November 16, 2005, therefore, fees for nonimmigrant services are now in effect. It is our understanding that visa applicants who paid at the previous rate before November 15, 2005 will not be required to pay the additional INR 200, even if their interviews are scheduled for after that date. Details of the new fees for immigrant visas are available on the websites for the U.S. consulates. Links for the U.S. Consulate in Chennai are Nonimmigrant Visa Fees and Immigrant Visa Fees.