how to apply for h1b visa interview

H1B Visa Application Process - A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Get a digital photograph. Each individual H1B visa application requires a digital photograph. ...
2. Complete H1B visa application form DS160
3. Pay the H1B visa application fee
4. Take appointment for visa interview
5. US Visa Fingerprinting at Visa Application Center (VAC)
6. Go for visa interview at designated US consulate

Full Answer

Can I go for a visa interview with approved H1B?

You can schedule your visa interview with your receipt number, beginning with EAC or WAC, on your H-1B petition receipt. During a visa appointment, you will be fingerprinted, photographed, and interviewed about your visa application and your prospective stay in the United States.

What documents are needed for H1B visa?

Required H1B Visa Documents

• Valid Passport (If you have any old passports, carry them as well)
• Online US Visa Application Confirmation ( DS-160 Form Submission confirmation).
• US Visa Appointment Confirmation with date, time and location on it.
• H1B Visa Approval Notice (I-797 Form)
• Copy of H1B LCA
• Employment Offer letter from your H1B Sponsor

More items...

How to bring a spouse on a H1-B visa?

To bring their spouse to America, the H1B visa holder is required to apply for an H4 visa, also known as the dependent visa. The H4 visa is issued to dependent family members, such as spouse and children under the age of 21 years, of the H1B visa holder, so that they can accompany them to the US during their stay.

Is H1B visa bad for the USA?

Unfortunately, the H-1B visa is not without its downsides. Work with your immigration attorney to weigh the pros and the cons of this visa class in order to determine if it is the right choice for you. Lottery. The first and greatest drawback of the H-1B visa is the fact that there is an annual limit on how many petitions are approved each year. While other visas also have a limit, they are not as easy to obtain and so that limit is rarely reached.

How can I go to H1B visa interview?

Here is a breakdown of the process:You will need to complete a DS-160 nonimmigrant visa online application form. Complete this form, pay the fee, and print out the confirmation page for later.Schedule the consular interview. ... Attend the interview on the scheduled date.

How difficult is H1B visa interview?

The H1B Visa Interview can be an overwhelming, but with the right preparation, you will set yourself up for success. Making sure you have the correct documents and are ready to answer the toughest questions the Consular Officer can throw at you will go a long way in ensuring a positive outcome after the interview.

Can I apply for H1B visa by myself?

If I would like to work in the US, can I apply for an H-1B visa by myself? No, this is not possible. To apply for this visa, you must have a job offer from a U.S. company or organization.

How long does H1B interview last?

The H1B interview can take up to 30 minutes, depending on the applicant's performance. The H1B interview can take up to 30 minutes, depending on the applicant's performance.

What happens if H1B visa interview is rejected?

What if USCIS rejects my H-1B visa? If your USCIS rejects your H-1B visa at stamping, you will not be allowed to enter the United States. USCIS can reject your H-1B application for different reasons including issues with fees, documentation, or fraud suspicion.

What is the minimum H-1B salary?

$60,000For the $60,000 wage to be determined, the nonimmigrant has to receive an annual salary or hourly wages that in total make at least $60,000, whether the worker has a full-time or part-time job. At the same time, the salary has to be paid “cash in hand” and “free and clear”, as well as paid when due.

Is getting H-1B visa hard?

How Difficult Is It To Get an H1B Visa? H1B visa requirements can be difficult to meet because you must first be hired by a U.S. employer who is willing to sponsor you. Competition for jobs in the United States is fierce, and demand for visas to enter the US grows daily.

How much is US H-1B visa fee?

H1B visa costs for employersH1B feeAmount (US $)Who pays?Registration Fee$10EmployerBasic visa filing fee (I-129 form)$460EmployerPublic Law 114-113 Fee$4000EmployerPremium Processing (optional)$2,500Employer or employee3 more rows

What kind of questions are asked in H1B interview?

Current Employer/H1B EmployerWhich company do you work for as of now? ... How long have you been working for in this company? ... What are your current responsibilities? ... Why are you leaving your current company? ... Please show us your experience letters? ... How did you come to know about your employer in the US?More items...

What is role and responsibility in H1B visa interview?

4:2710:17H1B Visa Interview Questions & Answer - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWell current employer or h-1b employer question what company do you work for as of now individualsMoreWell current employer or h-1b employer question what company do you work for as of now individuals must provide details of their current employer along with supporting documents.

What documents do I need for H1B visa interview?

Appointment schedule letter. DS-160 barcode confirmation. Original H-1B visa approval notice (Form I-797) Letter for the H-1B visa application provided by your employer....U.S. Government DocumentsW2 tax forms from at least two previous years.1040s tax returns.Social security card.Driver's license.Client letter.

How do I prepare for H1B?

H1B Visa Petitioning Process for EmployersHave a Labor Condition Application (LCA).File a petition with USCIS.Fill in form I-129.Submit the forms and the documents file.Wait for the review from USCIS.

What is an H1B interview?

The H1B visa interview is the final part of the application before they issue the visa. The applicant must convince the official asking the questions that they are fit to get the H1B visa.

How Long is the H1B Visa Interview?

There is no definite answer about how long the H1B visa interview is. There are cases when the interview can last for an hour. But there are also cases when the official will only ask 3 or 4 questions. However, you should prepare for an interview of around 30 minutes long.

What are the qualifications for an H1B visa?

Since the H1B visa is for people in specialty occupations, you must prove you have extensive skills. You can do so by explaining what your education was about, where you completed it, and whether you have certifications.

What do you need to ask the embassy about returning to your home country?

You must convince the Embassy official that you intend to return. You must provide concrete answers and documents such as a property deed , lease agreement, or loan documents.

What documents do I need to hand in to the US embassy?

The US Embassy official will first ask you to hand in copies of your supporting documents. This includes your approved Form I-129 petition and your other qualifications. You must make sure that you have the file with you so you do not seem unprepared.

What happens if you give incorrect information on your visa?

If you give incorrect information, the official will know and they will deny your visa.

What is the final section of an interview?

The final section of the interview will be on the company background. You must show enough knowledge about the company you will work for in the US.

How long before visa interview can I cancel?

You can cancel your visa interview appointment up to two business days before your appointment unless your interview appointment is scheduled at the US Consulate in Mumbai. If your appointment is at the US Consulate in Mumbai, you can cancel your appointment up to four business days before the appointment.

How to move an appointment to a later date?

To move your appointment to later date a second time, first cancel your current appointment and then book a new appointment.

How to get an H1 visa interview?

Arrive at the US embassy or consulate where your appointment for a H1 visa interview is scheduled. Persons with incomplete applications will not be admitted. Persons with special needs who require assistance, please contact the consulate at least 48 hours prior to the interview to arrange admittance for an assistant.

How long do you have to wait to get a visa receipt if you don't show up?

If you are a No-Show applicant, your US visa fee receipt gets deactivated. You are required to wait for two working days, after the scheduled interview date, in order to reactivate your US visa fee receipt, prior to scheduling a new interview appointment.

How long is a US visa valid?

Note that your US visa application fee receipt is valid for a period of 1 year (365 days) from the date of payment and entitles you to appear once at the Embassy / Consulate for visa interview. So the same visa application fee can be used , as long as you reschedule your interview within 365 days.

How long does it take to get a passport in India?

Your passport will usually be delivered to your India mailing address by courier within 3-4 business days. Under some circumstances, you may be allowed to pick up your passport in person.

What happens if you get denied a visa?

If your visa is denied or put on hold, you will be informed accordingly. You will be able to pick up your passport soon after the interview.

What is the goal of an interview?

The primary goal of the interview is to verify all information presented in the application and to make sure that you qualify for the desired visa.

Can you add videos to your watch history?

Videos you watch may be added to the TV's watch history and influence TV recommendations. To avoid this, cancel and sign in to YouTube on your computer.

When Will I Get the H1B Visa after the Interview?

Usually the consular officer will keep your passport if your visa is approved. You and/or your employer will be notified about the same through email or text.

What are the H1B Interview Documents to Bring?

Here is the thing. You might not need even a single one of your H1B interview documents. A lot of applicants were not asked for anything other than their passports. That includes me.

What is the goal of an H1B sponsoring company?

One of the major goals for an US Embassy official is to establish whether the H1B sponsoring company is legit. They want to make sure that you are not getting a fake job from someone in the US, whether knowingly or unknowingly so that you can leave your home country.

How long does an H1B interview take?

While most H1B interviews last close to 5-10 minutes, no one can say that for sure. Depending on your work history, profile, and other factors, an interview can take longer. Some consular officers also scrutinize more than other.

How long does it take to get a H1B stamp?

It takes 2-3 days max to get the passport with H1B stamp. You can check the status on the website of the US Department of State.

What to take into account when interviewing for H1B?

Another thing to take into account is that your H1B interview experience can be different depending on different factors like: Whether it is your first time. Your position and experience and the time you have worked in your company. If you did your Masters or Bachelors in the United States.

Do you have to have an interview for H1B?

The interview process is part of the consular processing of this nonimmigrant visa. If you are a first-time H1B applicant, it is very much certain that you will have an interview when you go for stamping.

How to Extend the H1B Visa?

The H1B extension procedures are similar to the initial application process. You will need to pay the same fees, except for the Fraud Prevention and Protection Fee. Your employer will also have to follow the same procedures for getting certification from DOL and an approved petition from USCIS. In addition, you will submit these documents:

When does the H1B visa open?

The applications open every year in spring. USCIS approves around 65,000 petitions per year starting from October 1 st to September 30 th of the following year. 6,800 petitions are reserved for H1B1 visas for Chile and Singapore nationals, while the rest for H1B visas. The applications of the first 20 thousand applicants with a master’s degree are exempt from this visa cap.

How Long Can I Stay in the US with an H1B Visa?

The H1B visa is initially valid for 3 years but can extend for another 3 years. In total, a person can stay and work in the US for 6 years at most. However, that does not mean that the person must return to their home country. What makes the H1B visa popular is that it is a dual intent visa.

What is H1B Visa Stamping?

In case you are granted an H1B visa, you need to go on and apply for the H1B visa stamping. This a process on its own, and you should check out the H1B visa stamping article for more details.

How to See My H1B Status Updates?

When your employer submits the H1B visa petition, you will receive a 13-digit receipt number which you can use to check on your H1B status on the USCIS website . The receipt number starts with an “ EAC, WAC, LIN, SRC, NBC, MSC or IOE” and is followed by 10 numbers. Your status could state one of the following:

What Kind of Health Insurance Am I Eligible For?

The type of H1B health insurance you are eligible for depends on how long you will be staying in the United States. As an H1b visa holder you can have:

How Long Do I Have to Wait for Processing?

The H1B visa processing time depends from country to country. US Embassies in different countries/cities have various processing times, so it is best to contact them for any details.

What is the H1B visa?

By this visa, companies can hire people who have a university degree for certain professions. Due to this, it is also known as a Person in Specialty Occupation Visa. Therefore, if the applicant has the following characteristics, he/she can apply for this visa:

What are the H1B visa requirements?

This job position requires a specialist who has a university degree or has taken specialized courses in a particular field. Expert people are people with special skills that not many people can do their tasks successfully. Specialists in information technology, physicians, lawyers, accountants, architects, and professors are some of the experts who are eligible to receive the H1B visa.

How to renew the H1B visa?

The same costs must be paid except for the Fraud Prevention and Protection Fee. The employer must go through the previous steps to obtain approval from the United States Department of Labor and the USCIS. The documents required to renew an H1B visa are:

How to access healthcare under this visa?

The type of insurance that an H1B visa holder can choose depends on the length of your stay in the US. The types of insurance that the visa holder can choose are:

How long is a H1B visa valid?

Initially, this visa is valid for three years. It can then be extended for another three years. So in most cases, you can use this visa to stay and work in the US for six years. This visa is a dual visa, meaning that the holder can apply to change the H1B visa status to an immigrant visa. So if you are qualified and have an appropriate job offer, you can apply for an Employment-Based Green Card.

How much does it cost to get an H1B visa?

If you make this appointment earlier, it will be better for you. The application fee for H visa categories is about $ 190. The cost of issuing the visa will depend on the embassy. In this case, you should seek guidance from the embassy where you are applying from.

How many applications does USCIS approve annually?

From October 1st until September 30th, the USCIS approves about 65,000 applications annually.

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 prepare for an interview for a job?

Inquire at the U.S. consulate in your country about which documents are needed as the list might be different in each country. Before going in for your interview, make sure you are well prepared. Take all relevant documents with you and be ready to answer all questions confidently and honestly.

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.