The mission of the consular section is to facilitate travel between the United States and India. We educate foreign nationals about visiting and working in the U.S. and issue thousands of immigrant and non-immigrant visas every week. When U.S. citizens travel abroad, the consular section is their lifeline to U.S. Government services ranging from emergencies to voter registration.

American Citizen Services is open from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM Monday through Friday.

For more information on American Citizen Services, click here.

For more information about Nonimmigrant Visas, click here.

For more information about Immigrant Visas, click here.

The Management Section is responsible for providing management, administrative, and logistical support to all sections and employees of the U.S. Consulate General in Chennai. The Management Section includes the Information Management Office, the Human Resources Office, the General Service Office, the Budget and Fiscal Unit, Community Liaison Office, and the Health Unit.

U.S. Consulate General Chennai’s Political/Economic Section provides timely, accurate, first-hand reporting and analysis of political and economic developments in our consular district, which encompasses a population of almost 180 million people living and working in the states of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu and the Union Territories of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry.  The section engages with political and economic leaders in the region, supports high-level U.S. government visits to the consular district, and advises the U.S. administration on the impact of U.S. policies in the consular district, including the Indo-Pacific strategy, state-level governance, trade and investment, space, science, health, technology, intellectual property, human rights, counterterrorism, coastal security, and bilateral military cooperation.

The Public Diplomacy Section manages the public activities of the U.S. Consulate General  Chennai, to promote understanding of U.S. political, economic and social issues, explain the current Administration’s foreign policy agenda and the complexities of U.S. society and culture. This section develops and manages an array of public events including seminars, round table discussions, interviews, educational and cultural exchange activities, and media-related programs. Public Affairs consist of two major elements.

The Information Office handles all press and media inquiries made to the American Consulate General Chennai. This includes preparing and distributing press releases, backgrounders, and summaries of U.S. views on policy issues to media outlets on a regular basis. On the occasion of visits by high-level U.S. officials or delegations, the Information Officer organizes news conferences and interviews for Southern India media.

The Cultural Affairs Office organizes conferences, seminars, lectures, readings and roundtable discussions on issues important to the Indo-American relationship. Many of these events are co-sponsored by American and Indian Institutions. Current topics include economic reform, environmental protection, intellectual property, AIDS prevention, democracy and human rights. Program events provide a regular forum for expert-level dialogue among American and Indian government agencies, journalists, associations, universities, non-governmental organizations, and political parties. In addition, the Public Diplomacy Officer coordinates and supports official exchange programs. The Public Diplomacy Officer also manages the American Center Chennai.

All inquiries should be directed to the Public Diplomacy Section.

The Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) is the security and law enforcement arm of the U.S. Department of State. Diplomatic Security is represented overseas by the Regional Security Office (RSO) located in every U.S. Embassy and most U.S. Consulates throughout the world.

The RSO protects the U.S. embassy or consulate, its personnel, and information and provides a range of services to the U.S. private sector and foreign law enforcement organizations. Each office is managed by a DS Special Agent (Regional Security Officer), who serves as the U.S. Ambassador’s or Consul General’s senior U.S. law enforcement and security advisor.

The Regional Security Office:

• Serves as the U.S. embassy’s law enforcement liaison to the host nation.
• Arranges training for foreign police and security officers to combat terrorism.
• Assists U.S.-related schools and organizations in obtaining security grants.
• Shares security information with the U.S. private sector through the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC).

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Foreign Commercial Service offers valuable assistance to help U.S. businesses export goods and services to India. We assist U.S. companies to identify trade opportunities, find local trading partners, representatives and distributors, resolve trade complaints, land government tenders, and obtain market research.  U.S. exporters can find more information here.

We also help Indian companies to find the best U.S. suppliers. Indian importers, for further information please click here.

E-mail: office.chennai@trade.gov