US Eliminates Visa Issuance Fee For Students, Reduces Issuance Fee for Other Visas Types, and Adjusts Consular Exchange Rate

The consular sections at the United States embassy and consulates general in India have eliminated issuance fees for student, exchange visitor, transit and crewman visas issued to Indian nationals with effect from October 11, 2003. Fees for issuing other visitor and business visas will drop from $75 per visa to $50 per visa.

However, the nonrefundable $100 non-immigrant visa application fee is not being eliminated and must still be paid for all visa applications that currently require the payment of an application fee, including applications for student, exchange visitor, transit and crewman visas and most other nonimmigrant visa types.

In addition to the visa issuance fee changes, the US consular sections are also adjusting the exchange rate used for consular transactions from Rs 49 to Rs 46 to the dollar. Effective October 11, the $100 visa application fee will require a bank draft of Rs 4,600 in favour of the US embassy or consulate general where the person is applying.

Applicants for visas that still require an issuance fee should submit a second draft of Rs 2,300 in favour of the embassy or consulate general to cover the $50 issuance fee. Applicants for student, exchange visitor, transit and crewman visas no longer need to submit this second bank draft. The exchange rate is subject to future change.

The adjustment in exchange rate will lower the rupee price of all consular transactions, including services for American citizens. US passport applications for children under 16 will decrease to Rs 3,220, and adult passport renewal applications will cost Rs 2,530 while first time adult passport applicants will pay Rs 3,910. A single notary seal will cost Rs 1,380.

US law requires virtually all visa applicants to pay a non-refundable $100 application fee, but issuance fees are based solely on reciprocity. The fee reductions are being made to bring US visa fees in line with the $150 visa fee charged to US citizens by the Government of India.

Further information on US visa and consular services is available on the embassy web site at http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov.

Admissions open at Dhirubhai Ambani International School & Rishi Valley School

Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Mumbai, began academic sessions in March 2003 and offers three academic streams -- ICSE, IGCSE and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

The school invites applications for admission to the following classes for the academic year 2004-2005: 

Lower Kindergarten

Class VIII

IB Diploma (Class XI)

Brochures and application for admission forms will be issued at the school as per the timings indicated below:

Monday to Friday: 1630 hours to 1900 hours.

Saturdays and Sundays: 0930 hours to 1630 hours.

Last date for receipt of completed application forms: October 19, 2003.

Contact: Admissions office, Dhirubhai Ambani International School, G Block, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Bandra (East), Mumbai 400098. Phones: 022-30617000/2652 6888. Fax: 022-30617099/30617182. E-mail: info@da-is.org

Web site: www.da-is.org

Rishi Valley School (Krishnamurti Foundation, India), affiliated to the Indian School Certificate board, invites applications for admissions to classes IV to IX and class XI.

Requests for prospectus and application forms may be addressed to The Bursar, Rishi Valley School, Madanapalle, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh 517352. Phone: 08571-820622/280582. Fax: 08571-280261. Email: admissions@rishivalley.org

The request must be accompanied by a demand draft of Rs 100 drawn in favour of Rishi Valley School (KFI), payable at Madanapalle through State Bank of Mysore or State Bank of India or postal order payable at Rishi Valley post office.

Last date for receipt of completed application forms: December 15, 2003.

Period of admissions tests and interviews: Mid February to mid March.

The admissions will be finalized by April 15, 2004.

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