From: http://www.punescoop.com
IN A bid to prevent its visa interview appointment system from being misused, the US embassy on Wednesday announced changes in the process, including deactivating the HDFC Visa Fee Receipt (VFR) in case the applicant does not appear for the visa interview.
So if the applicant does not appear for the visa interview appointment, the HDFC VFR will be deactivated and the applicant will not be able to book another appointment, the embassy said in a press release in New Delhi.
If the applicant has a valid reason for not appearing for the appointment, he can request the Visa Facilities Services (VFS) to reactivate his visa fee receipt, it said. To make the request, the applicant must go in person to the nearest VFS US Visa Application Centre.
Other changes include deactivation of the VFR for 90 days in case the applicant cancels the visa interview appointment twice, the release said.
"The embassy regrets any inconvenience these changes may cause visa applicants. All other parts of the visa interview appointment system remain the same. The changes do not affect the Business Executive Program (BEP)," the release went on to say.
The HDFC VFR can be used to book and appear for a visa interview appointment within one year from the date of issuance. After that, the receipt is void and the application fee and VFS charges won't be refunded, it said.
