Here are some common questions and answers regarding receiving a US Passport in India.
Q: How will I get my passport back after my interview?
Once your visa is approved, the interviewing officer will keep your passport and documents and send it for further processing. You can pick up your visa and passport from a pickup location once it is ready. Stanley and Blue Dart courier handle this service.
Please Note
Passports will NOT be delivered across the counter at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
When you schedule your interview, you will see a list of passport/visa collection locations. You can choose a location convenient for you. If your visa is approved, Blue dart will deliver the passport and visa to the specified location. There are no extra charges associated with this service. The service charges are already included in your application fee.
When your passport is ready for pick-up, you will receive an email or SMS informing you. If you paid an extra fee at the Express Service Desk for passport delivery, your visa and passport will be delivered by Blue Dart to the home address you provided at your interview.
If you opted to pick up your passport from a service centers, then the passport has to be collected within 14 days of it being ready. If you opted for one of the Blue Dart Courier service locations, then the passport has to be picked up within 7 days of being ready. Otherwise, it will be sent back to the Embassy or Consulate.
Q: What are the supporting documents needed to pick up my passport/visa?
In person: If you are collecting your own passport in person, bring along a government issued photo ID and a copy of that ID.
You also need to carry a printed copy of your visa interview appointment letter.
If a representative picks up your passport: You may opt to have a representative pick up your passport for you. You can ask a family member or a friend to pick up your documents, as long as the following rules are abided by.
If someone else is picking up your passport on your behalf, they need to carry their own government issued photo ID and a photocopy of the applicant’s government issued photo ID.
They also need to show a letter of authority from you authorizing them to pick up your passport. The letter of authority should be signed by you. The letter of authority should also contain:
- Your name
- Your representative’s full name as it appears on their government issued ID
If the applicant is under the age of 16: A letter of authority signed by any one of the parents is required. The representative also needs to carry a photocopy of the government issued photo ID of the parent who signed the letter of authority. The representative should also carry their own government issued photo ID.
Group/Family: If the representative represents a group/family, then only one letter of authorization is required. The letter of authorization should include the representative’s name and the names of the family members who are applicants. A photocopy of the government issued ID of the person who penned the letter of authority is also required.
Q: How soon will I get my passport and visa?
The time it takes for your visa/passport to be ready following your visa approval after interview depends on the circumstances, such as administrative work load, intervening holidays, etc. Hence, a definite turnaround time cannot be assured. Visa applicants are encouraged to apply well before their expected travel dates. If your visa doesn’t require further administrative processing, it can be ready within a few business days. However, it may be much longer if further processing is required. Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days of your visa interview.
Q: Can I change the delivery location or document delivery address?
You can change the location and address before 11:59pm on the day prior to the day of the interview. You can do it online or through the call centers. There is no extra charge for this service.
Q: How can I track my passport?
You can check the status of your visa application by entering the location of your interview and application ID or case number here: https://ceac.state.gov/CEAC/
Q: What if my passport does not arrive?
You are encouraged to check the link above for any updates regarding the status of your passport. For questions, you can contact [email protected] or call using this link.
Q: What if my visa was printed incorrectly?
If there is a mistake or error on your visa, you should contact the consulate/embassy where you had your interview, or you can email [email protected] and explain why you think there is an error. They will provide instructions on how to submit your passport.
Q: What if my visa is damaged?
If your visa is damaged, you will have to apply for a new visa.