This info is reported on a Lawyer site
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03/15/03: Chennai Consulate Announcement: Old Form DS-156 and Old Photo Standards Not Acceptable from Monday, 3/17/03
The Consular Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy, New Delhi, announces the following changes for persons applying for Non-immigrant visas to the United States:
Effective Monday, March 17, 2003 the U.S. Embassy New Delhi and the U.S. Consulates in Chennai, Kolkota and Mumbai will be accepting only the new version of the DS-156 Visa Application Form. Up through close of business on Friday, March 14, either the old or new versions will be accepted. Concurrently, new photo specifications associated with the new DS-156 Visa Application Form will be required starting on Monday, March 17. Up until close of business on Friday, March 14, the previous DS-156 with the old photo specifications will be accepted, as will the new DS-156 with its new enlarged photo specifications. For more information on the new DS-156 and the new photo specifications, log onto the U.S. Embassy website at http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov or the website of the U.S. consulate nearest you: Chennai - http://chennai.usconsulate.gov; Kolkota - http://calcutta.usconsulate.gov; Mumbai - http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov.
We reported this on 02/28/03 for the revised DS-156 form and on 03/03/03 for the new visa photo standards. The visa photo standards apply only to the visa applicants and those who file applications/petitions with the DHS/BCIS or other relevant DHS agencies should follow the BCIS photo instructions.
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03/15/03: Chennai Consulate Announcement: Old Form DS-156 and Old Photo Standards Not Acceptable from Monday, 3/17/03
The Consular Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy, New Delhi, announces the following changes for persons applying for Non-immigrant visas to the United States:
Effective Monday, March 17, 2003 the U.S. Embassy New Delhi and the U.S. Consulates in Chennai, Kolkota and Mumbai will be accepting only the new version of the DS-156 Visa Application Form. Up through close of business on Friday, March 14, either the old or new versions will be accepted. Concurrently, new photo specifications associated with the new DS-156 Visa Application Form will be required starting on Monday, March 17. Up until close of business on Friday, March 14, the previous DS-156 with the old photo specifications will be accepted, as will the new DS-156 with its new enlarged photo specifications. For more information on the new DS-156 and the new photo specifications, log onto the U.S. Embassy website at http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov or the website of the U.S. consulate nearest you: Chennai - http://chennai.usconsulate.gov; Kolkota - http://calcutta.usconsulate.gov; Mumbai - http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov.
We reported this on 02/28/03 for the revised DS-156 form and on 03/03/03 for the new visa photo standards. The visa photo standards apply only to the visa applicants and those who file applications/petitions with the DHS/BCIS or other relevant DHS agencies should follow the BCIS photo instructions.