IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The Indian Consulates in San Francisco and Houston now require applicants for visas to complete an Additional Particulars Form before traveling.

What does the change mean? The consulates will not process visa applications without the special form. The new form is also required for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards and Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cards.

  • Implementation timeframe: Immediate.
  • Visas/permits affected: All visas, OCI and PIO cards.
  • Who is affected: Those applying for visas and OCI and PIO cards through the San Francisco and Houston Consulates.
  • Impact on processing times: Possible delays.
  • Business impact: There will be delays if the new forms are not included with applications.

Background: As of April 1, the San Francisco and Houston Consulates suddenly began requiring the Additional Particulars Form. The form, which is available on the consular websites, requests additional information about an applicant, such as dual citizenship, military history, criminal background and whether parents or grandparents were ever citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Nepal, Pakistan or Sri Lanka. Applicants may type or handwrite their responses, and must sign the form.

BAL Analysis: All affected applicants should be aware of this new mandatory form and that the consulates will not consider any application without it.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in India. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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