You should plan ahead for this appointment. You cannot have the appointments with the VAC and the consulate on the same day. A minimum one-day gap is required between the two appointments. You are asked to arrive 15 minutes early to the appointment; no earlier than that.
Ink-free digital imprints of all your ten fingers will be taken at the Visitor Visa fingerprinting appointment. First, a digital scan of the four fingers from your left hand and then the four fingers from the right hand will be taken. Finally, a digital scan of the two thumbs will be taken. Injury or cut on your finger does not qualify you for a fingerprinting waiver. You might be asked to take another appointment after the finger is healed. Without all the ten digital imprints, your application will be deemed incomplete. These fingerprints are taken for a valid reason. When you arrive at the port of entry in US, you will again give your fingerprints. These fingerprints are compared to your fingerprints taken back at the Visa Application Center to determine the genuineness of your identity.
In addition to the fingerprints, the officer will take a digital photo of your face for their records. Children under 7 are required to bring a hard copy, not a digital copy of their photograph. In addition to the photograph in the DS-160 form, this photograph is taken as a proof that you were present in person for the VAC appointment. At your interview at the consulate, the consular officer will refer to this photograph during your interview.
Don't deprive yourself of travel medical aid when visiting the US.
Here's how to get visitor's medical insurance for your trip
Children under 14 and adults over the age of 79 are not required to provide fingerprinting. The consulate has specific rules and regulations to waive fingerprinting requirement for applicants with specific cases like permanent abnormality on the fingers, burnt fingers, scarred fingers, permanent handicap like one hand, etc. To gather information about such specific cases please refer to the following page:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/laws/telegrams/telegrams_2777.html
If you qualify for the interview waiver program, and are renewing your visa under the same category you can forego this appointment.
Additionally, A-1, A-2, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, C-3, and NATO applicants are exempted from the fingerprint scan requirement. However, if the purpose of the diplomats' visit is tourism or pleasure, then he or she is not exempted from the biometrics/ fingerprinting appointment.
To take the appointment you will need:
Most applicants will have to visit an VAC only once for Fingerprinting. You have to follow the usual security measures at the VAC.
Note: The DS-160 US Visa Application form will be stamped at the VAC. You must carry this document for your Visitor Visa Interview Appointment.
According to Embassy guidelines all persons that enter the VAC site are subject to a security inspection:
OFC Hours:
Monday through Friday - 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday closed
Sunday - 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
STATE | CITY | ADDRESS |
ANDHRA PRADESH | Hyderabad | 1-8-384/385, Gowra Grand, S.P.Road Begumpet, Secunderabad 500003 |
MAHARASHTRA | Mumbai | Trade Center, Gr. Floor, G Block,Bandrakurla Complex Trade Center, Gr. Floor,G Block,Bandrakurla Complex |
NEW DELHI | New Delhi | S - 1 American Plaza, (Hotel Eros Managed by Hilton), International Trade Tower Nehru Place, New Delhi 110019 |
TAMIL NADU | Chennai | No 3, Cenotaph Road Teynampet,Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600018 |
WEST BENGAL | Kolkata | Jasmine Tower, 31, Shakespeare Sarani (1st Floor) Kolkata 700017 |