Starting August 1: US Visa Applicants Must Collect Passports Themselves or Pay ₹1200 for Delivery

From August 1, 2025, US visa applicants in India must collect their passports in person—or pay ₹1,200 to have them delivered. The US Embassy in New Delhi has officially announced this update, ending the long-standing option of passport pickup by a third party.

This change aims to enhance the safety and security of applicants’ passports and visa documents. The new US visa rules 2025 will directly impact all Indian travellers who rely on representatives for document collection.

What Has Changed?

Earlier, you could send a friend, family member, or travel agent to collect your passport from the collection centre with just:

An authorisation letter
A photocopy of your ID
The representative’s valid ID

Now, this is no longer allowed. This update changes the process of US visa passport collection significantly for Indian applicants.

Who Can Collect?

Only the applicant can collect their passport.
For minors under 18, a parent or legal guardian can collect it.
- But: An original consent letter signed by both parents is mandatory.
- Scanned or emailed letters will not be accepted.

Don’t Want to Visit? Choose Home Delivery

To help applicants who can’t collect passports in person, the embassy now offers home or office delivery for ₹1,200 per applicant. These US visa delivery charges in India are applicable per individual and must be selected in advance.

How to Book Passport Delivery

Visit https://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/en
Log in to your profile
Click on “Document Delivery Information”
Select your name
Choose your delivery method
Submit and log out

If you face technical issues, use the “Feedback/Requests” option in your profile. Attach a screenshot of the error and mention your preferred delivery location. Note: Do not call the support centre. Check the “Messages” section in your profile or the official website for updates.

Why This Matters

Until now, many applicants have never needed to visit the collection centre at all. The new rule makes the process stricter, but more secure. If you’re planning your US travel, make sure to update your delivery preferences and avoid last-minute surprises. Need help updating your delivery option? Click here to visit the official US Visa Portal.