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USA visa services · Kochi, Kerala
US Visa from Kerala: B1/B2 Visitor, Dropbox Renewal and C1/D Crew
Everything about getting a United States visa from Kerala in one place: the B1/B2 visitor visa for holidays, family visits and business, the interview-free dropbox renewal at VFS Kochi, and the C1/D visa for seafarers and crew. Kerala applicants attend the US Consulate General in Chennai; Visa Xpert, Kochi prepares the DS-160, the file and the interview with you.
Interviews in Chennai · dropbox in Kochi
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★ 4.9 · 8,700+ Google reviewsSince 2015Independent consultancy · not VFS, not an embassy
Which US visa do you need?
Pick your situation. Each page has the current fee, documents, steps from Kochi and FAQs.
Quick answer
A US visa from Kerala costs US$185 (about ₹18,130) in government fees for B1/B2 and C1/D, plus Visa Xpert’s ₹3,000 service charge – about ₹21,130 per person. New applicants attend fingerprints and an interview at the US Consulate General in Chennai, where waits were several months long in late 2026. If your previous B1/B2 is still valid or expired within 12 months, you may renew by dropbox at VFS Kochi without an interview.
US visas compared
Government fee in US dollars and the approximate rupee amount at the consulate’s rate; processing as observed in late 2026.
| Visa | Government fee | Processing time | Where to apply from Kerala | Our charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B1/B2 visitor visa | US$185 ≈ ₹18,130 | Interview wait several months at Chennai; passport back 7–10 working days after approval | DS-160 online → fingerprints (OFC) + interview at US Consulate General Chennai | ₹3,000 (total ≈ ₹21,130) |
| B1/B2 dropbox renewal | US$185 ≈ ₹18,130 + VFS courier ₹2,400 | Not published; usually a few weeks from drop-off | DS-160 + waiver questions online → documents dropped at VFS Kochi | ₹3,000 (all-in ≈ ₹23,530) |
| C1/D crew visa | US$185 ≈ ₹18,130 | Interview wait at Chennai or Mumbai (crew often get earlier slots); passport 7–10 working days after approval | DS-160 online → OFC + interview at Chennai (or Mumbai) | ₹3,000 (total ≈ ₹21,130) |
The US$250 “visa integrity fee” in US law since July 2025 was not being collected as of late October 2026; we confirm before you pay. Checked 4 November 2026.
How Visa Xpert helps with US visas
The consular officer decides every US visa; no agent can promise one, and we are not VFS or the US government. What we do from Kochi is make sure your application gives the officer no reason to doubt it.
- Right route and honest adviceNew interview, dropbox or crew visa – and whether your profile and timing are strong enough to apply now.
- DS-160 done with youThe online form is where most mistakes happen. We complete it with you and check it against your documents.
- File and interview preparationA checklist for your situation, a review of your financial documents and a practice session for the Chennai interview.
- Appointments and follow-upWe watch for earlier OFC and interview dates, book them, and track the passport until it is back in Kochi.
US visa from Kerala: frequently asked questions
Is there a US consulate or visa centre in Kerala?
No. Kerala comes under the US Consulate General in Chennai, where fingerprints and interviews take place. Kochi has a VFS document drop-off and pickup point, used for eligible dropbox renewals and passport collection only.
How much does a US visa cost from Kerala in 2026?
The government fee is US$185 (about ₹18,130) for B1/B2 and C1/D visas. Visa Xpert’s service charge is ₹3,000 per person, so a new application totals about ₹21,130; a dropbox renewal with VFS courier is around ₹23,530 all-in. There is no separate centre fee for new applications.
How long is the wait for a US visa interview in Chennai?
Several months in late 2026 – around seven months for B1/B2 at times. The wait changes every month; we check the official wait-time page and compare Mumbai, Hyderabad, New Delhi and Kolkata for you.
Who can renew a US visa without an interview?
Applicants renewing the same B1/B2 visa, where the previous full-validity visa is still valid or expired within the last 12 months, who were 18 or older when it was issued and have no refusals since. They drop documents at VFS Kochi. Children under 14 and adults over 79 no longer skip the interview on age alone.
Can my parents from Kerala get a US visitor visa?
Yes, with a B-2 visa. They need your invitation, a copy of your US status documents, proof of relationship and their own financial and ties documents, and they attend the Chennai interview. We prepare the form and the likely questions with them.
What is the visa integrity fee?
A US$250 fee written into US law on 4 July 2025 for most non-immigrant visas. As of late October 2026 it was not being collected at the consulates in India. We check before you pay and tell you if it starts.
Do seafarers from Kerala need a special US visa?
Yes – the C1/D crew visa for joining a ship or flight in the USA. It needs your CDC (seaman’s book) and a joining letter from your company, costs US$185 and is normally issued for up to five years. See our C1/D page.
Is Visa Xpert part of VFS or the US Consulate?
No. Visa Xpert is an independent visa consultancy in Kochi since 2015, with 8,700+ Google reviews. The US Consulate decides your visa; we prepare, book and track your application – without guarantees.
Official sources
- US Visa Scheduling (ustraveldocs) – India
- US Department of State – global visa wait times
- US Department of State – visa fees
- US Consulate General Chennai
Last checked: 4 November 2026. Government fees, exchange rates and processing times change; we confirm the latest before you pay anything.
Helpful visa guides
- US Visa from Kerala: Complete 2026 Guide to the B1/B2 Visitor VisaDS-160, fees, interview and the full B1/B2 process for applicants from Kerala.
- US Visa Dropbox in Kochi: Renew Your B1/B2 Without an InterviewWho qualifies for the interview waiver, the Kochi document drop-off and timelines.
Ready to start your US visa?
Send us your travel plan and a photo of your passport (and old US visa, if any) on WhatsApp. We will tell you the right route, the current Chennai wait and the exact cost the same day.
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Visa Xpert · North Mulloth House, Ravipuram Junction, opposite HDFC House, MG Road, Kochi 682016 · Mon–Fri 9:30 am – 6:30 pm, Sat 9:30 am – 3 pm