Step by Step Instruction for Taking Web Appointment

[arkey75]

Here are the step by step instructions to take web appointment. I might miss something but I hope strongly it should help for the first time users.

1.Click on "Apply for Non-Immigrant Visa".
It will show visa fees details and click "Continue".

2.It will ask for BEP. BEP is Business Executive Program which is mostly employers who frequently apply for visa to their employees.
When applying as individual/personnal Select option NO.

3.a. Create a new application
This link is used to create a new application for the first time.
When your saved application got deleted bcos of not confirming the date during 7 days period, you have use this link and recreate again.

b. Retrive/Modify a saved application
Until you confirm the appointment date or before completing all the procedures, You will see the option "Save Application and Exit" in most of the screens.
Once you hit that button, later point you need to use this link to do further changes in the applications if any and need to complete the remaining procedures to confirm appointment date.

c. Download saved appication.
This link is used to download the saved DS156,DS157,appoinment letter


4. Click "Create a new application"
It will show the required handy documents, terms and conditions. Select option "I agree" and click "Continue"

5. Fill up the type of visa,state of residence and complete all details and click "Continue".
If the dates are available for one applicant it will be shown in green and click "Continue".
Else it will popup dates unavailable message and you need to follow from Step 1 later.

6. Fill up the applicant Passport Expiry date and click "continue"

7. Fill up the applicant name and other details and click "continue".
Make sure you follow same case(upper/lower) all the time when you this screen.
Carefully read the Note given at the bottom of the screen.

8. It may show that you will be filling DS156 in next screen and adobe requirements,etc. Click "Continue"

9. Fill up the DS156 application and Save and Continue.
After you saved successfully, it should show a summary screen with the applicant name and DS156 with a Tick Mark.

10.You will see DS157 (without tick mark) if the applicant age is below 56. Else you will not see DS157. Skip 11 and 12.
The website automatically decides whether the applicant needs DS157 or not based on the DOB you have entered.

11.click the DS157 link to fill up the application.

12.After you saved successfully, it should show a summary screen with the applicant name and below DS156 with a Tick Mark, now DS157 also with a Tick mark.

13. Important: If you taking appointment for a family/group you need click "Add new Applicant" to get the same date/slot. If you are taking appoinment for only one you may need to click Continue for Confirm option.

14. After you click "Add new applicant", the website checks for the same date/slot for 2 applicants.
If the dates are available you may need to continue from step 6 for the new applicant.
If not available, you have to Save Application and Exit. And try again later using step 3.b


15. Follow the same steps as you done for the first applicant until you see the summary screen.
Now your summary screen will show first applicant name and below DS156(Tick), DS157(Tick) and the second applicant name and below DS156 (Tick)
Complete DS157 if needed for the second applicant.

16. From this summary screen, you may have options like Save and Exit,continue for Confirmation.

17. click Continue for Confirmation.

18. It will ask for BlueDart delivery information for each applicants.You may choose to deliver Office address,hold at counter or other location.

18. After that, finally you may able to select the available date for appoinment.

19. Once you have done successfully, there will be option to enter a email address where they will forward a link to download the documents.

20. I beleive it will show the summary screen now with appointment letter,DS156,Ds157 and instruction for all the applicant.

21. Thats it. You are done.


I am not aware of Re-schdule/Cancel appointment procedure since I didnt done so far. If someone can throw some lights on it, it will great.

[Navap]

Good job, arkey75 ..!!

sfbayguy, Looks like there is no language option for the state you have selected. They must be expecting you guys know "Hindi" I guess..

[suren1]

language selection is in the consulate office when they go for interview at mumbai :confused: Can someone please help clarify:

My brother in India is filling the application for an interview at the Mumbai consulate for my parents on the VFS website, he has completed adding both applicants and now the system asks to select a date. The issue is that it does not show any options to select a regional language/interpreter, does this choice show up later in the process and should we click on an available date and then a choice will come up? Or we missed clicking something earlier. Could it be that for Mumbai you do not need to specify during online application and you ask for interpreter at consulate. My parents definitely need an interpreter so wanted to make sure that we do not select an incorrect choice and have problems at the interview

Any folks out there who filed an application for an appointment at Mumbai consulate with regional language interpreter who can share their experience? Thanks for your help in advance.

[arkey75]

Hi Murali,

Thanks for making this thread sticky. Hope this helps for new comers.

Regards,
arkey75.

[westbayarea]

I am trying to take an appt for my parents for Mumbai consulate.
After entering State of Residence as Maharashtra etc.. it shows me appoinments only for New Delhi.

Any ideas why it is this way or what can I do ?
Its been showing only New Delhi since 2 days now..

Thanks,

[arkey75]

If the dates are available at Mumbai, It will show that too. Also make sure to check the month next (>) button at the top right corner of the calendar. It may show other consulates availability.

[westbayarea]

I clicked on the forward and backward buttons. Still shows only New Delhi.

I just dispatched a certified letter to US Consulate Mumbai saying that it will make more sense to open up dates for July-August if dates are not available in the next month or so.

Because the way I see it works now is since no Mumbai dates are available in May-June 2007, the website does not show Mumbai calendar at all.
And probably July-Aug dates are not opened yet so I cannot even book an appt for July or August or whenever.

[sperni]

Hi All,

My nearest Consulate is Chennai. If I do not have dates here, can I choose Delhi consulate.

Please advise.

Perni

[arkey75]

If it is English Appoinment, then you can choose other consulates.

[westbayarea]

I think since this is the student rush time, Mumbai consulate has reduced the available slots for tourist visa.

If you say your purpose of visit is Studying or Business etc....then dates are available in May itself for Mumbai

I tried it from two computers. From one I selected Studying and, it showed me 3-4 available dates in May and about 7 in June. From the other I selected Business and it showed 1 date in May and about 7 in June.

Makes sense that they want to give priority to students and business over tourist.
But they should let tourists still book appts for Aug...or whenever they think that student rush will be done.
or atleast post a message there saying that "Toursists Please check back after 2 months".

[westbayarea]

Got an appt in June at Mumbai. Only 1 day was open in June.
I think they have very less interview slots for tourists as compared to other visa classes.

[cooldudesfo]

Hi,

For VISA Category, what should I select:

Is it Spouse / Child working in USA
OR
Tourism / Family Visit / All other purposes.

I am trying to get the Visitor Visa for my parents and I am unsure which category to select as both above category sounds correct...

Please advice..

Here are the step by step instructions to take web appointment. I might miss something but I hope strongly it should help for the first time users.

1.Click on "Apply for Non-Immigrant Visa".
It will show visa fees details and click "Continue".

2.It will ask for BEP. BEP is Business Executive Program which is mostly employers who frequently apply for visa to their employees.
When applying as individual/personnal Select option NO.

3.a. Create a new application
This link is used to create a new application for the first time.
When your saved application got deleted bcos of not confirming the date during 7 days period, you have use this link and recreate again.

b. Retrive/Modify a saved application
Until you confirm the appointment date or before completing all the procedures, You will see the option "Save Application and Exit" in most of the screens.
Once you hit that button, later point you need to use this link to do further changes in the applications if any and need to complete the remaining procedures to confirm appointment date.

c. Download saved appication.
This link is used to download the saved DS156,DS157,appoinment letter


4. Click "Create a new application"
It will show the required handy documents, terms and conditions. Select option "I agree" and click "Continue"

5. Fill up the type of visa,state of residence and complete all details and click "Continue".
If the dates are available for one applicant it will be shown in green and click "Continue".
Else it will popup dates unavailable message and you need to follow from Step 1 later.

6. Fill up the applicant Passport Expiry date and click "continue"

7. Fill up the applicant name and other details and click "continue".
Make sure you follow same case(upper/lower) all the time when you this screen.
Carefully read the Note given at the bottom of the screen.

8. It may show that you will be filling DS156 in next screen and adobe requirements,etc. Click "Continue"

9. Fill up the DS156 application and Save and Continue.
After you saved successfully, it should show a summary screen with the applicant name and DS156 with a Tick Mark.

10.You will see DS157 (without tick mark) if the applicant age is below 56. Else you will not see DS157. Skip 11 and 12.
The website automatically decides whether the applicant needs DS157 or not based on the DOB you have entered.

11.click the DS157 link to fill up the application.

12.After you saved successfully, it should show a summary screen with the applicant name and below DS156 with a Tick Mark, now DS157 also with a Tick mark.

13. Important: If you taking appointment for a family/group you need click "Add new Applicant" to get the same date/slot. If you are taking appoinment for only one you may need to click Continue for Confirm option.

14. After you click "Add new applicant", the website checks for the same date/slot for 2 applicants.
If the dates are available you may need to continue from step 6 for the new applicant.
If not available, you have to Save Application and Exit. And try again later using step 3.b


15. Follow the same steps as you done for the first applicant until you see the summary screen.
Now your summary screen will show first applicant name and below DS156(Tick), DS157(Tick) and the second applicant name and below DS156 (Tick)
Complete DS157 if needed for the second applicant.

16. From this summary screen, you may have options like Save and Exit,continue for Confirmation.

17. click Continue for Confirmation.

18. It will ask for BlueDart delivery information for each applicants.You may choose to deliver Office address,hold at counter or other location.

18. After that, finally you may able to select the available date for appoinment.

19. Once you have done successfully, there will be option to enter a email address where they will forward a link to download the documents.

20. I beleive it will show the summary screen now with appointment letter,DS156,Ds157 and instruction for all the applicant.

21. Thats it. You are done.


I am not aware of Re-schdule/Cancel appointment procedure since I didnt done so far. If someone can throw some lights on it, it will great.

[arkey75]

Visa Category will be Tourism/Family Visit/All other purpose.

[mthalluri]

Hi
Murali this is also murali first of all I appreciate your service,my parents went for b1/b2 visa , I am on h1b they did't see any documents related to me they got 214B query the thing is the VO asked them about my brother he is in india doing business same thing told my parents to vo they asked ration card unfortunately they did't have ration card , my question is can I send again with ration card . please suggest?

[visa123]

Yes, this is so inconvenient.At least they should open up the dates for July/August. They have opened up dates in July for students only at Mumbai embassy. I wrote to VFS and they replied back with a 'keep checking it...we do not know when the embassy makes dates available'.

I clicked on the forward and backward buttons. Still shows only New Delhi.

I just dispatched a certified letter to US Consulate Mumbai saying that it will make more sense to open up dates for July-August if dates are not available in the next month or so.

Because the way I see it works now is since no Mumbai dates are available in May-June 2007, the website does not show Mumbai calendar at all.
And probably July-Aug dates are not opened yet so I cannot even book an appt for July or August or whenever.

[kishore2us]

Can someone please help clarify:

My brother in India is filling the application for an interview at the Mumbai consulate for my parents on the VFS website, he has completed adding both applicants and now the system asks to select a date. The issue is that it does not show any options to select a regional language/interpreter, does this choice show up later in the process and should we click on an available date and then a choice will come up? Or we missed clicking something earlier. Could it be that for Mumbai you do not need to specify during online application and you ask for interpreter at consulate. My parents definitely need an interpreter so wanted to make sure that we do not select an incorrect choice and have problems at the interview

Any folks out there who filed an application for an appointment at Mumbai consulate with regional language interpreter who can share their experience? Thanks for your help in advance.

Hi All,
There is nothing to worry.It also happens that sometimes the fields are grayed out(Non-editable mode). In such cases try to type in all the information that can be done.The left overs can be hand written using a black ball point pen.In case if the VO at the consulate finds any thing messy/inappropriate, he will give you a blank DS Froms and ask you to fill it there in front of him/her.To a max possible try to avoid such situations.

Thanks and Regards
Anand Kishore.G:)

[kishore2us]

Yes, this is so inconvenient.At least they should open up the dates for July/August. They have opened up dates in July for students only at Mumbai embassy. I wrote to VFS and they replied back with a 'keep checking it...we do not know when the embassy makes dates available'.

Hi All,
I don't see anything wrong in trying to get a slot at other Consulate centers like Delhi/Chennai/Kolkatta. There is no official restrictions for choosing a consulate of your choice.

Thanks and Regards
Anand Kishore.G:)

[Monika_A_K]

Hi All
My parents have visa date for June 15th. While filling out the forms for them, we didnt get any option of hindi translator. Although, my Dad can communicate in english but my Mom cannot. Does that mean we need to take hindi translator for both of them coz we would have all their documents in one file. And I guess, there are different queues for hindi speaking people...
Please guide
Thanks

[ss900]

I am trying to get a web apppointment at chennai consulate but no luck .it is showing try again after 24 hrs,any thoughts???

[banruby]

I am too in the same situation and very frustrated. I have been trying since past 2 weeks. Wondering if this is a sw bug becaus I tried wih all non english languages and for ALL the same "pls check in 24 hrs" dialog is coming.

[arkey75]

There are dates available for Tamil during July 24,25,26.

[ankurchhabra]

I am trying to get the Visa Appointment dates, I have created a fresh application and Then Filled up the Required Forms. It asked me for the delivery address. As I click the Next Button. The system says

"Please check after 24 Hrs......!!!" This is coming from Last 2 Day.

where if I see the Normal schedule is prompts the date after 17 July are open.


Any Comments, Please revert at ankurchhabra@yahoo.com

[ankurchhabra]

Hi Murali,

Morning

I have made the HDFC payments on Last Friday (29 June) Then from Wed (4th July) I tried generating Forms as per the process and Saved them .

As I reached the final page to book the appointment the system say Please check in 24 Hrs for the Interview dates. For Emergency Please visit the emergency Page.

can you guide me what is the next action on this as I am doing this from Last two days now and getting the same message again.

I be glad if you can mail be at ankurchhabra@yahoo.com or can call at 9350190537

if you can mail me that the tread is updated.

Thanks & regards
Ankur

[ankurchhabra]

hey Guys,

I have booked the appointment for 17th July Confirmed, But I am not able to print my Inteview Letter and clues on this.

I spoke to the VFS Office, they said please call tom. as the systems are undergoing a Upgrade Process.

regards
ankur

[Sakharsamrat]

My parents have an appointment on aug 17th ,my brother got it online ,then he submitted forms in vfs office at pune .So my question is do they have to sent all other documents to mumbai office 4 working days priore to interview ?

Thank you.

[smart000]

Getting this error on the 2nd screen where you enter the name, passport hdfc recipt etc

-----------------
Cast from string "undefined/undefined/undefined" to type 'Date' is not valid.
-----------------

I am using Mozilla Firefox browser.

[narasi]

try IE..

[priyadp22]

My dad has filled forms for himself and mom online and after the forms are filled he says he sees no option to look for the visa dates.
Can you please help me what to do. Why is that he has no option to select interview dates.
2. Also want to know how to take printout of these forms as there is no print option after you complete the form. He says only option is save and exit after filling up the forms.
Please clarify.

[iynapudi]

Hi all,
I want to book appointments for my mother to come here in december.Since I m expecting this yr.I woould really need to book appointment.But All the telugu interview dates are full till november End..Is any one planning to cancel ur appointment.
This would be a very great help.Plz let me know..at what time timezone u would be cancelling ur appointment.I need appointment for CHENNAI.

Plz mail me at iynapudi@gmail.com

[coolguy]

I am getting the following error (on the page where the HDFC receipt number is entered) when I am creating a new application on the VFS website:

**************************
Cast from string "undefined/undefined/undefined" to type 'Date' is not valid
***************************

Any ideas as to how fix this problem??

[ssubhasr]

Hi

Does anyone know what r the documents required to apply for visitor visa for a government employee ? :confused: :confused:

[ivandsouza1]

I filled all the details and got a default interview date on 8th April for my parents at Chennai. However after entering the delivery information, there was not continue tab and it was showing Delete and Save & exit. So I opted Exit one and I am not sure whether my interview date for parents are confirmed. Also there was no option to enter the email id as you mentioned in point 19.

However I have entered the email id in form DS156 form. Do I get a confirmation at the same time or they will email me the details later.

Could someone let me know please

Thanks