US Visa Application Centre

It's hassle-free, and they will guide you through each step of the process. The only thing you need to do is be prepared to wait for a short period of time, but it's not too long. Always remember to bring your old passports to the interview. You can find paid parking options around the corner and on the sides, but it's best to choose a morning slot. On the ground floor, there is a printing area and a paid locker service available.

Before going ensure you take all required documents and also the DS160 is valid for one year only after which you have to apply for new one online. Check for the steps in Google. Any printouts inside the centre cost you Rs 100/-. Per page. Yes, you read it correctly. 100 Rs. Looting people like anything and no one to question. If not try for printout outside the centre. Dont ever take printout inside. So carry all docs correctly.

Nov 2025 Biometrics Experience (Must read if you're coming with a child or if pregnant) The Chennai VAC is excellent. definitely better organized than Hyderabad. Everything runs smoothly. I went with my spouse and child, and they allowed us to skip the queue, so we finished the whole process quickly. Tip: Avoid using ChatGPT to understand the visa process; it can be misleading. For kids, basic snacks and a water bottle are allowed. Our appointment was at 10:30 AM. We reached around 10:00 AM and were done by 10:30 AM. --- Documents Needed DS-160 Confirmation for all family members Original Passports Photographs (They took pictures on-site, even for my 2-year-old daughter) Fee Receipt (No one asked for it, but I carried it just in case) --- Process Overview There are multiple queues initially where staff verify your documents. You can't take phones inside. After the first queue, there's a locker facility that accepts cash only. I paid 50 and received a token. Inside the VAC, they verify your passport details, DS-160 confirmation, and other information. They'll place a sticker and secure your passport and DS-160 with a rubber band. At the scanner checkpoint, if you inform them that you're pregnant, they'll turn off the scanner and do a manual check instead. Next, you'll enter a queue where they'll ask for your full name and date of birth. For minors, the questions will be directed to the primary applicant. Photos were taken for me and my child; my wife went to a separate booth. We didn't have to wait anywhere. For fingerprints, place four fingers of your left hand, then four fingers of your right hand, and finally both thumbs. keep them close together, not spread out. Once done, they'll stamp your documents and you're all set. --- Quick Tips There's no air conditioning inside, so it can get quite humid. Carry a tissue or handkerchief to stay comfortable. One copy of Appointment letter is sufficient for everyone in the family as long as it's together.

My appointment was on 17/11/25. It's simple biometrics appointment to verify your DS160 and passport. Reach only 30 min early. The enviornment outside is very intimidating. Follow the appointment times listed for the queue. It's actually posted on compund gate near the security. Only that time appointments are allowed. Don't try hard, you will not be allowed to bypass the queue. You will get your turn. Even if anything is wrong in your application, the VFS staff will help you guide through the process. They only need passport and DS160. Rest all docs are optional. Tip: Try to secure early morning slots. Afternoon slots always run late with too many people waits. ** The staff was courteous, i gave 2 stars for overall experience around the VAC **

I had a 3.5-4/5 experience at this US VAC in Chennai. My appointment was on a Sunday at 4:30pm. I arrived around an hour earlier, and they were letting people who had later appointments in as well. I guess that was for good reason, because there was a somewhat long queue inside. You get inside, go to the first floor where a staff member guides you to the waiting area. The waiting area isn't air-conditioned, so I am guessing it can get uncomfortable in the Chennai weather. The people in the waiting area are released to the biometrics area(on the second floor) in batches. It took around 25-30 minutes for my turn to move to the biometrics area. Once inside the biometrics area, there's another queue waiting, this time for the actual biometrics. The area inside is somewhat cramped, and the staff tries their best to not let the area inside get super crowded. This queue moves somewhat fast, and the staff checks you've your documents in order--DS160 confirmation, Appointment Confirmation and Passport before you proceed for the biometrics. They affix a sticker to your passport signifying that you appeared for biometrics on the assigned date. Then you proceed inside to the biometrics area inside where you go to one of the counters where they take your photo and fingerprints. On a relatively busy day, it takes around 1-1.5 hours to be done. The ground floor has xerox and printing facilities available. Finding parking nearby can be challenging but you can park some distance away. Tip: If you're flying in from a North Indian city to Chennai like I did and you've your appointment in the evening(after 3pm), I suggest to book an early morning flight, reach Chennai around 10-11am, get some food, and then proceed for the appointment. It doesn't make much sense to book a hotel just for a day. All the best.

Cellphones, personal belongings like bags and other electronic items (including smart watches) have to be deposited at a locker facility run by a private business, for a fee. I paid INR 50 to deposit my cellphone alone. They only accept cash and "NO" UPI. The private business that runs the locker facility also has public computers for those who need to take last min printouts, make corrections on DS160, etc and also a Visa Photo studio. It is best to be prepared well ahead of time! A picture is taken by the Chennai VAC anyway. Not sure why the applicants are asked to carry US Visa photographs. It would be great if the instructions are tailored based on the VAC's capability. The VAC process is as usual, three employee verification. First one checks the details and makes a tick mark on the DS160 confirmation. Second one rechecks and scans the DS160 confirmation's barcode. Third one asks for the full name for verification and applies a barcode on the passport. At the counter, read the biometric instruction, acknowledge it, state full name and DOB, for records, when asked, and then provide 10 finger biometrics. If Premium Delivery is chosen, they confirm that a fee of INR 1200 has to be paid when the passport gets delivered. Process is less than 10 min in total.

Reach at building entrance 15-20 minuted before your scheduled time as security will not let you in early. Arriving early would not make you free early. Security asks to form a queue according to appointment time displayed on entrance wall box. Afterwards, There is another queue where person will allow in batches....approx waiting time - 15 to 20 minutes Afterwards final queue at VAC office entrance- approx waiting time -5 to 10 minutes Then you enter security gate - no electronic gadgets ( mobile, smart watch) were permitted...you can go back and deposit at privately run facility in ground floor. Afterwards process starts.. DS160 /Appoinment letter is checked against passport...at first counter. Second counter- samei doucments are checked and barcode sticker is applied on passport. Final counter- declaration recording followed by photo and fingerprint scan. and exit. No seats anywhere be it inside or Outside... ...inconvenient for elderly people and kids.

I visited this place to take the biometrics etc in connection with our B1/B2 VISA INTERVIEW in the last week of Jan 2024. This VAC is at Nungambakkam, Chennai near Valluvar kottam. No sign board to show that it is VAC. Instead, a large sign board of one Xerox - internet cafe is erected at the front. You have to guess that it is VAC! A congested and narrow road in front. Parking is difficult. Before planning your trip to attend the biometrics session here, please take note of the following precautions. 1. The date of your DS160 Confirmation letter must NOT be more than 1 year old. If it's more than one year, take an updated printout of the same by logging into the original website by entering your application ID, secret answer to the question etc. Otherwise, you can get it done at the internet cafe for a charge of Rs.250. There also, u will have to provide your password (secret answer) etc to take the printout. 2. Your fingers of both hands must be free from any cuts, bruises or wounds. Otherwise they will ask u to reschedule your visit. THINGS TO NOTE: Mobile phones allowed. They would ensure that it is switched off. ( In the US CONSULATE, it is strictly prohibited). Small bags, backpacks etc allowed. Or u can keep them at the Cafe for a fee of Rs.50 per item. This Xerox centre at the ground floor has a private locker, net cafe, photo studio etc. All are paid services. No water bottles allowed. Neat arrangements inside. There are some 16 counters for taking your finger prints and photographs (digital image). IF YOU ARE ABOVE THE AGE OF 14 AND YOUR APPLICATION IS FOR FIRST TIME B1B2 VISA INTERVIEW, YOU NEED NOT BRING ANY PHOTOGRAPHS. The staff will take it free of cost. For others, if photo is to be taken, the Cafe will do it for a charge of Rs.500, or u can bring it as per visa specifications. Instructions regarding this can be seen in your Application/Appointment confirmation letter. Pl go through it carefully. After taking your finger prints and photographs, they will affix one sticker at the back side of your Passport and will hand it over to you for your Visa interview at the Consulate on your appointment date. Though long Qs will be outside, you can show your appointment letter to the security at the gate and if it is your allotted time, they will let you in. For us, all this process took around 1 hr. Please note, the security arrangements and procedures are entirely different at the US CONSULATE, where your personal interview will be done. Detailed review for that is given separately.