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From August 1 all applicants are required to collect passports in person or use paid courier service; minors allowed exceptions with strict consent rules
The United States Embassy in India has announced a major change to its visa application process, ending third-party passport collection starting August 1, 2025. Under the new rules, US visa applicants will need to collect their passports in person or opt for a paid courier delivery service, as per official guidelines, reported gujaratsamachar.com.
Change aims to boost security in passport return procedures
The new policy applies to all visa categories, with only one exception — minors under the age of 18, whose passports may be collected by parents or legal guardians.
However, this requires a hard copy of a consent letter signed by both parents; scanned or emailed copies will not be accepted.
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According to the embassy, the move is intended to improve the security and integrity of the passport return process
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Applicants who cannot collect their passports in person can use the ₹1,200 paid courier option through the ustraveldocs.com portal
To change the delivery method, applicants must log in to their profile, access “Document Delivery Information,” select their name, choose the preferred delivery method, submit the change, and log out.
The US Embassy has advised applicants to plan ahead to prevent delays and to refer to official embassy communications and the US travel document website for updates.
