US Embassy in Delhi

The United States of America has a booming tourism industry thanks to its extensive geographical area as well as the rich history it holds.

From its metropolitan cities to Hollywood and its natural wonders to the white house, it has attractions that suit nature and history enthusiasts alike. Thanks to the sheer size of the country, although it might be challenging to visit all the places on your list at once, it undoubtedly will be a good journey.

To promote the country's travel and tourism industry, the National Travel and Tourism Office, a part of the International Trade Administration in the USA, has been making efforts to promote the country as a premier destination for experiencing diversity in communities and culture.

The American Embassy in India is located in New Delhi. Additionally, there are consulate offices of the US in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata as well.

Given below is a glance at the contact details and timings of the US Embassy in Delhi and consulates in other cities.

Note: The American Embassy in India has a set list of holidays for when the office is closed. For a list of US Embassy Delhi holidays click here. For contact in case of emergency follow the instructions given here.

The difference between an embassy and a consulate can be incredibly confusing to those who are dealing with them for the first time.

Though both offices have the identical aim of promoting diplomatic ties between the host and home country, the embassy has a more comprehensive function area and jurisdiction compared to that of a consulate. A consulate is also a representative of the embassy.

Let us get into the differences between the two.

Just like any other embassy, the American Embassy in India undertakes crucial functions that contribute to the diplomatic relations between the two countries. These can be majorly categorised into five primary functions.

Diplomatic Representation

The American Embassy in India acts as a diplomatic representation of the US on Indian soil. It facilitates communication between the governments of both nations while effectively representing their respective interests in various domains, like political, economic, commercial and cultural.

Economic and Cultural Promotion

The American Embassy in India actively promotes the US through diverse diplomatic events, facilitation of investments and trade initiatives in India. The aim is to promote international collaboration and attract trade opportunities, fostering overall growth for the US.

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

The American Embassy in India functions as a central communication hub and provides a secure platform for discussions, negotiations and conflict resolution. The embassy actively engages in facilitating agreements that are mutually beneficial for both countries.

Providing Protection

The American Embassy in India serves as a crucial point of rescue and support in times of manmade or natural disasters. It takes on the responsibility of safeguarding the citizens of both countries and ensuring their well-being during unforeseen circumstances.

Collection of Information

The American Embassy in India plays a vital role in collecting and analysing quality data about India to the US. This provision of insights in domains like political, economic and cultural spheres contributes to informed and responsible communication between the two nations.

The American Embassy in India provides services to US citizens and Indian citizens alike. Following are the details on the services provided by the American Embassy in India.

Alerts and Messages

All alerts regarding COVID-19 or information for US visitors in India are provided by the embassy on its website.

For more information on this click here.

Emergency Assistance

The American Embassy in India provides emergency assistance for situations like child abduction, arrest or death. It also provides emergency financial assistance and legal assistance if a US citizen is a victim of a crime.

For more information about the same, click here.

Passports and Citizenship

The embassy provides services for passport renewal, processing of loss of nationality as well as a passport application for minors born to US citizens outside of the US.

For more information on these services, click here.

Local Resources

All local resources such as legal assistance, medical assistance and notarial services are provided by the embassy for US citizens.

For more information, click here.

Federal Programs

The embassy provides services to ensure all us citizens in India can utilise their right to vote during elections. Their website provides instructions and details for the process.

It also provides assistance with social security numbers for all US citizens including veterans as well as collection of documents and processing of selective services in the states.

For more information on this, click here.

The jurisdiction is the areas within which the embassy or consulate of a country can stay operational. Since there are consulates of the US in most of the major cities in India, the embassy located in New Delhi has jurisdiction only over a limited number of states, namely, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and even the country of Bhutan.

Yes, all Indian passport holders require a valid US visa to enter the country. A US visa is a mandatory document for all individuals belonging to non-visa-exempt countries. Since India is not on the list of countries that are allowed visa-free access to the US, all Indian citizens require a visa.

The visa an applicant will apply for will depend on the reason for the travel, as visa categories change depending on the requirements.

For more details on US visas, click here.

Application for a US visa can be done both online and offline. Here are the steps applicants can follow for an online application for a US visa:

Online Process to Apply for Visa at the American Embassy in India

• Navigate to the U.S. Embassy page

• Select the applicable Visa type

• Go to the ‘Apply for a Visa’ drop-down menu

• This will take you to the application page

• Enter in your country and captcha code

• Once on the application page, fill out all the details

• Once done, make the payment online

• Save the fee receipt for future reference

• Book an appointment with your nearest VAC for document verification and biometrics.

• Once all verifications and processes are done, you will have an interview at the embassy or consulate depending on the jurisdiction of your residence.

• Once you clear the interviews, you will receive the visa within 7-10 working days.

• Although processing the visa online is more convenient, those who do not have the online application as an option can apply offline. Here are the steps to follow to submit your visa application offline:

Offline Process to Apply for Visa at the American Embassy in India

• Book an appointment with your nearest VAC.

• After a consultation, gather all the required documents needed.

• On the submission date provided by your VAC, submit all the important documents.

• Payments are typically made on the submission date of the documents.

• Once the verification of documents and biometrics is complete, you will be called for an interview at the embassy or consulate depending on the jurisdiction of your current residence.

• Once you clear the interview, you will receive your visa within 7-10 working days.

For more information about visas click here.

The United States of America is a treasure chest of travel destinations. With its rich history, diverse culture and stunning natural wonders, it is a magnet for tourists from all over the world.

If you are planning to travel to this beautiful nation, you need a valid visa and will have to follow rules and regulations. Along with medical insurance, it is advisable to get maximum coverage by purchasing international travel insurance.

A good travel insurance plan provides coverage against unforeseen financial damages. For example, trip cancellation insurance will provide coverage in case your flight gets cancelled. Some packages even provide coverage against damage or loss of luggage.

At Tata AIG, every travel insurance that you buy is tailored to your needs at budget-friendly prices. So before you embark on your adventure to the United States of America, get a good travel insurance plan with Tata AIG so that you can travel securely and economically.