When I apply for a visa, do I really need to send my passport in the mail to a U.S. Indian Consulate office?
Yes, to apply for a visa, it is standard procedure to send your passport in the mail to a regional U.S. Indian Consulate office (do not send a copy of the passport; send the actual passport). You can also apply for a visa in person at 5 different regional Indian Consulate offices, but it is usually more convenient and efficient to send your visa application by mail (unless you live very close to one of the Consulate offices). To alleviate any apprehension you have about sending your passport through the mail, and to ensure that it arrives safely, send your documents via a traceable method such as: FedEx, UPS, DHL, or registered mail. To access an online Indian visa application form and to find out where your regional Indian Consulate office is located, go to: https://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/. Follow the visa application instructions on this site, and when you enter your personal information (i.e.: state of residence, etc), the site will create a tailor-made application form fo
