The simple answer is to get your visa stamped on your passport. To help you through the process, here is the complete procedure for H1B visa stamping in India. You must have received the petition number and the receipt notice from your company in your email.
Full Answer
What are the requirements for H1B visa?
H-1B Visa Requirements. H-1B visa applications require a petitioner (the employer) and beneficiary (employee). The beneficiary must meet a minimum of one of the following requirements: Have completed a bachelor's degree (or higher) in the same field as their specialty occupation from an accredited university.
How to apply for H1B visa?
The first time to apply for H-1B immigration application steps:
- Find a work entity that is willing to help you apply for a work visa;
- Complete the online registration of the H1B electronic lottery system. ...
- On April 1, the USCIS announced the results of the H-1B lottery. ...
- Between April 1 and June 30, the company submits formal H1B application documents to the USCIS for the selected H1B employees.
What are the new H1B rules?
- This rule is likely to be “stayed” by the Biden administration, Congress, or the courts
- The rule will increase required wages for H-1B, H-1B1, E-3 and Green Card applications filed through employment
- The increase in wages will not affect the H-1B lottery this year (March 2021) if the LCA process is completed before July 1, 2021
What is H1b1 visa, processing time?
H-1B1 Visa Processing Time. Since the H-1B1 visa is not available for premium processing, it takes more time than the H-1B. Processing times vary from country to country, but in general it takes 4 to 6 months for the H-1B1 visa to be processed.
How long does H1B stamping take in India?
Once that is done, you may go to the US embassy for your scheduled interview. The entire processing time may take from 1 to 4 weeks, depending on the demand.
What happens after my H1B visa is approved?
What happens after an H-1B is approved? Usually, once USCIS has approved an H-1B petition, the USCIS Online Case Status website will be updated. Your new employer should send you a petition receipt notice, which has a petition receipt number printed on it.
What is H1B stamping process?
H-1B visa stamping requires the foreign professional to have had their petition approved. Once the petition has been approved, it is time to schedule an H1B visa interview. Scheduling the interview may be conducted at the closest U.S. consulate or embassy.
Is H1B stamping mandatory?
If you are already in possession of an F1, L1, H4, or any other temporary visa and you have been successful with an application for an H1B visa (including the H1B visa stamping ), you will need to have your visa stamped if you wish to leave and re-enter the country at any time while your visa is valid.
Can I get H1B stamped in India?
Once you are sure that you can travel and want to to go for H1B visa stamping, you need to book an appointment for the VAC for biometrics. If you are applying for H1B in India, you can book the biometrics appointment here. You cannot have the appointments with the VAC and the consulate on the same day.
Can I get a H1B visa without a sponsor?
No, this is not possible. To apply for this visa, you must have a job offer from a U.S. company or organization.
What if my H1B visa is rejected?
If your application for H1B transfer is approved, you can continue with your job. But if your H1B transfer is denied, you must stop working for your new employer as soon as you receive the notification of denial. If your H1B transfer is denied, you no longer have a valid H1B status to be lawfully employed.
How to check H1B status?
Alternatively, it is possible that a scanned copy of the receipt notice may have been sent to you. Use the receipt number to check the H1B Case Status and meaning on the USCIS website. The status should read, “Case Was Received and A Receipt Notice Was Emailed.” This means that USCIS will send a copy of the approval notice to your employer.
How to apply for a visa stamp?
To apply for visa stamping, fill the DS-160 form, pay the visa fee and choose your desired US embassy. It is recommended to choose one that is closest to your place of residence.
What happens after you receive an approval notice from the USCIS?
After receiving the approval notice from the USCIS, your company will forward it to you. You should bring this notice along when you go to the consular office for visa stamping. In case you applied for a Change of Status, the approval notice will have an updated Form I-94, which contains the details of status change.
How long does it take to get a US passport stamped?
EAD or OPT card (if applicable) After the submission of documents during the visa interview, it can take up to 4 weeks to receive your stamped passport.
Is it difficult to get an H1B visa?
Applying for an H1B visa is an arduous task and has become even more complex due to the recent tightening of visa regulations. It requires a lot of formalities to be completed and forms to be filled meticulously. As a result, the visa approval rate for Indians has plummeted in the last few years, with the number of H1B visas issued for initial employment dipping 4% in fiscal 2017.
When will the US Embassy in India extend the visa fee?
US Embassy in India has extened the Visa Appointment Fee (MRV Fee) validity by an year to September 30, 2023 . If you were not able to book an appointment since the consulates have been closed due to COVID, you are in good shape as you have until Sep 2023 to book an appointment. See screenshot below
When will the US see more appointments in India?
We will see more appointment slots from Jan 2022 to May 2022 as per new guidance by head of US Consulates in India. Check Guidance by US Head of Consulates in India for appointments
When will the MRV fee be extended?
MRV Fee Payment Validity Status : US Consulates in India have extended the MRV fee ( Visa Appointment Booking Fee) payment validity until September 30th, 2023 (extended in Nov 2021 by an year) to make sure all applicants get time to schedule visa appointment. It is updated on the US Embassy and USTravelDocs India Website.
Is the US visa stamping cancelled in 2021?
Due to the Presidential proclamation on April 30, 2021, that imposes a travel ban to the US from India, US Consulates and Embassy in India have canceled all US Visa stamping regular visa stamping appointments until further notice. There is no estimated date when they will lift the travel ban. Currently they are only serving cases that fall under NIE or part of exemptions in proclamation.
Can I apply for NIE in the US?
Apply NIE while in US : You cannot apply for NIE when you are physically present in the US. You need to be in India and then only apply for NIE. Check US Consulate Chennai Guidance – Can you apply for NIE, while in US for full details.
Do I need a new visa if I already have one?
You do not need a new US Visa, if you are already in US. As long as you have your I-797 approval valid and I-94 valid, you are fine. All you need to do is maintain Status. Read US Visa vs. Status Difference
Has the B1 appointment changed?
No Changes to the B1/B2 Appointments. This was one of the most frequently asked question and US consulate did not give any information on this. See below screenshot and check Top 10 FAQs of week on US Embassy Website
Where to schedule H1B visa interview?
Scheduling the interview may be conducted at the closest U.S. consulate or embassy. The H-1B visa stamping process should be implemented in the following order:
How to secure a visa payment?
To secure payment approval, create a user profile with the U.S. Visa Service website. Select ‘Schedule Appointment.’ A payment confirmation page should appear. This page will allow the applicant to select the best-fitted payment information for the individual. The payment is only valid for a year, so it is important to schedule the appointment within that time.
What is a POE visa?
When you get to the port of entry (POE), you will have to undergo security clearance before you can be allowed to enter the country. Your visa stamp is one of the requirements to prove that you have valid authorization to travel to the United States.
Does the USCIS suspend visa stamping?
It also does not guarantee that your visa will be approved in the H-1B visa stamping process. There are times, however, when the USCIS will suspend premium processing to give preference to long-neglected petitions. This is true for all H-1B petitions during the 2017-2018 season.
Does premium processing increase chances of lottery?
A: Usually, premium processing is a service that only speeds up the time it takes for the USCIS to process your I-129 petition. It does not increase your chances of being selected in the lottery nor does it make you cap-exempt. It also does not guarantee that your visa will be approved in the H-1B visa stamping process.