Quick answer
Travellers from Kerala apply for the US B1/B2 visitor visa through the US Consulate General in Chennai. You fill in the DS-160 online, pay the US$185 application fee (about ₹18,130), then attend two appointments: biometrics at the Visa Application Centre and an interview at the consulate. Interview waits at Chennai were about 7 months in September 2026, so start early. If you are renewing a B1/B2 visa that is valid or expired within the last 12 months, you may qualify for dropbox (interview waiver) and can submit your passport in Kochi.
The United States is the number one long-haul destination for Malayalis: visiting children in Texas and New Jersey, attending a graduation, a business meeting in California, or a family holiday. The visa process is longer than Europe or the Gulf, and the rules changed in 2025. This guide explains the full process for Kerala applicants, based on the official US visa appointment service for India (ustraveldocs.com) and the US Department of State.
Which US visa do you need?
The B-1/B-2 visitor visa covers short visits: tourism, visiting family and friends, medical treatment (B-2), and business meetings, conferences and contract negotiations (B-1). The two are usually issued together as one B1/B2 visa. It does not allow you to work or study in the US.
Where do Kerala applicants apply?
Kerala falls under the US Consulate General in Chennai. First-time applicants attend a biometrics appointment at the Chennai Visa Application Centre (VAC) and an interview at the consulate. The VAC appointment must be at least 2 business days before the interview, so most people plan one trip of 2 to 3 days to Chennai.
Renewal applicants who qualify for the interview waiver do not need Chennai at all. They submit their passport at the Kochi document drop-off location on MG Road, Ravipuram.
Step-by-step: US visa from Kerala
- Complete the DS-160 online, carefully and truthfully. Save the confirmation page with barcode.
- Create your profile on ustraveldocs.com and pay the US$185 fee by NEFT, UPI, card or cash at approved banks. The receipt is valid for 365 days.
- Book two appointments: VAC (fingerprints and photo) and the consulate interview.
- Prepare your documents: passport, DS-160 confirmation, appointment letter, photo, and supporting evidence of your ties to India and funds.
- Attend the VAC and interview in Chennai.
- Collect your passport at a collection location, including Kochi, or by courier.
Documents for a first-time B1/B2 visa
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport | Valid at least 6 months beyond your stay; bring old passports |
| DS-160 confirmation | Printed page with barcode |
| Appointment letter | For both VAC and interview |
| Photo | 5 cm × 5 cm, white background, taken in the last 6 months, no eyeglasses |
| Financial proof | Bank statements, ITR, salary slips, property documents |
| Ties to India | Employment letter, business registration, family details |
| Purpose of trip | Invitation from family, itinerary, conference registration |
At the interview, the officer decides mainly on your answers, not your file. Documents are rarely examined in detail, so carry them, but prepare your story.
What the officer is looking for
US law (section 214(b)) presumes every B1/B2 applicant intends to immigrate. You must show that your trip is temporary, for a specific period, that you can pay for it, and that you have a home and strong ties in India that will bring you back.
Fees and timelines (October 2026)
- Application fee: US$185, about ₹18,130, non-refundable
- Visa Xpert all-in price: ₹21,130 per person (fee plus our service charge)
- Interview wait at Chennai: around 7 months for a regular B1/B2 slot, as reported in September 2026. Waits change weekly.
- Validity: B1/B2 visas for Indians are usually issued for 10 years, multiple entry
A US$250 "visa integrity fee" was passed into US law in 2025 but, according to reports, is not yet being collected. We confirm the current charges before you pay.
Important rule changes since 2025
- Apply where you live. Since September 2025, applicants should apply in their country of nationality or residence. Malayalis working in the Gulf should apply in the UAE, Saudi or Qatar, not in India, unless they have returned to live in Kerala.
- Interview waiver narrowed. From October 2025, only B1/B2 renewals within 12 months of expiry (and a few official categories) qualify. Children under 14 and adults over 79 now need interviews.
- In-person passport collection rules tightened; courier delivery is charged per applicant.
How Visa Xpert helps
We fill in your DS-160 correctly, pay the fee, hunt for the earliest Chennai slot, prepare your documents, run a mock interview, and handle dropbox renewals right here in Kochi. Our office is on MG Road, Ravipuram, a short walk from the US visa drop-off location.
Frequently asked questions
Which US consulate handles Kerala?
The US Consulate General in Chennai. Dropbox renewals can be submitted in Kochi.
How long does a US visa take from Kerala?
The interview wait at Chennai was about 7 months in September 2026. After the interview, passports are usually returned within about a week unless further processing is needed.
What is the US visa fee for Indians?
US$185 for B1/B2, about ₹18,130, non-refundable. There is no issuance fee for Indian citizens.
Can I apply for a US visa in India if I live in Dubai?
Since September 2025, you should apply in your country of residence. If you live and work in the UAE, apply there.
Do I need to go to Chennai for a US visa renewal?
Not if you qualify for the interview waiver. You can submit your passport at the Kochi drop-off location.
Official sources
- ustraveldocs – Business/Tourist visa (India)
- ustraveldocs – Schedule your appointment (India)
- ustraveldocs – Visa fees (India)
- ustraveldocs – Interview waiver and visa renewal (India)
- US Department of State – Interview waiver update, 18 September 2025
- Indian Eagle – US B1/B2 visa wait times by city (28 September 2026)
Last checked: October 2026. US visa rules, fees and wait times change often, so we confirm the latest before you apply. Visa Xpert is an independent consultancy in Kochi and is not affiliated with the US Embassy or Consulates, the US Department of State or any visa application centre. Visa decisions are made only by US consular officers.
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