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Fulbright Scholarship

Guidelines for issue of No Objection Certificate / Visa for scholars proceeding to India on Fulbright Scholarship residing under the consular services jurisdiction of Consulate General of India, Chicago:

  1. Persons of Indian origin holding an OCI or PIO Card:

OCI and PIO card holders do not have to apply for a visa. However, they have to apply for a No Objection Certificate/Project Clearance Certificate at the Consulate General of India, Chicago, by submitting the following documents:

(i)

Letter from the applicant requesting for “Research Project Clearance”

(ii)

A copy of the Applicant’s bio-data (CV).

(iii)

Application for Approval of Research Project (Annexure-XII)(pdf) with a photograph of the applicant affixed on the application – ONE COPY ONLY.

(iv)

Grant Award Letter issued by United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF), New Delhi.

(v)

Letter from host institution accepting you as a Fulbright Scholar.

(vi)

Certificate of Affiliation from the Host Institution in India.

(vii)

Research Project Report / Proposal Abstract / Fulbright Application (Statement of Grant Purpose) with all details about the project.

(viii)

Notarized copy of first and last page of the Passport and OCI/PIO Card, if the applicant doesn’t intend a subsequent personal visit to collect the “Research Project Clearance.”

(If the applicant is coming later to collect the “Research Project Clearance” personally, then the applicant can send photocopy of Passport and OCI/PIO card without notarization along with his application and produce the original Passport and OCI/PIO card during the personal visit, when the applicant is asked to collect the copy of Research Project Clearance. The original passport and OCI/PIO card will be returned after examination.)

(ix)

Proof of residence such as State ID or utility bill.

(x)

USPS prepaid envelope for return of the certificate. (If applicant is coming in person to collect “Research Project Clearance”, this is not required).

Applications for ‘No Objection/Project approval’ can be submitted in person to the Consulate, after requesting an appointment for the same with the Education Wing at cons.chicago@mea.gov.in; or these can be mailed to the following address;

Assistant Consular Officer (Education)
Consulate General of India
NBC Tower Building
455 N. Cityfront Plaza Drive, Suite 850
Chicago, IL 60611

  1. Fulbright scholars who are US citizens and those who do not hold a PIO or OCI card will require visa:

Fulbright-Nehru Scholarship awardees and their official dependents residing in States falling under the jurisdiction of Consulate General of India, Chicago, may please visit https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/ and apply for REGULAR/PAPER VISA APPLICATION AND MAKE APPLICATION FOR ‘ Student VISA’ and under sub-category select ‘Research Scholar on Bilateral Exchange Programme’ or ‘dependent of Research Scholar on Bilateral Exchange Programme’ as applicable. Fill the application, upload the photo, submit the application and take a printout of the visa application.

Submit visa applications either in person (on a working day between 10 am to 12 noon) or by Post addressed at the following address:

Visa Section
Consulate General of India,
NBC Tower Building
455 N. Cityfront Plaza Drive, Suite 850
Chicago, IL 60611

· Copy of online submitted visa application form https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/, and additional particulars form both duly signed.

· Grant Award Letter issued by United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF), New Delhi.

· Letter from host institution accepting you as a Fulbright Scholar.

· Certificate of Affiliation from the Host Institution in India.

· Research Project Report / Proposal Abstract / Fulbright Application (Statement of Grant Purpose) with all details about the project.

  • Two 2X2 inches photographs as per specifications available at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/.

  • Original current Passport of the applicant. (Make sure to have a passport with validity of at least six months).

  • A copy of the current passport (biographical pages only).

  • Address proof copy: Drivers Licence/ Utility bill/ lease agreement of residence.

  • In case of applications sent by postal mail, please include a self-addressed USPS/UPS/Fedex return paid envelope for sending back the passport with visa.

No Visa fees shall be charged for issuance of visas to Fulbright-Nehru Scholarship awardees and their dependents.

Applicants should also refer to the Fulbright to India and Fulbright-US handbooks issued by the USIEF to Fulbright scholars for additional information.

In case of any query, please send an email at cons.chicago@mea.gov.in.

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