H-1B Visa Stamping Process
- Submit a Photo. The H-1B visa photo must meet specific requirements. Dimensions: minimum of 600 pixels by 600 pixels, maximum of 1200 pixels by 1200 pixels.
- H-1B Visa Application Form DS-160. Form DS-160 can only be completed online at the Department of State. A 10-digit barcode will appear on the confirmation form.
- Complete Application Payment and Schedule the Appointment. After paying the required fees, the foreign professional must schedule two appointments. ...
- The Interview. Go to the indicated consulate for the interview. DS-160 Visa Application confirmation page with VAC stamp.
Is it right time to go for H1B visa stamping?
This date will help you find out when you should apply for the H1B visa stamping. The rule is that you should apply around 90 days before you have to begin working in the US. This means that if your employment starting date is on August 1 st, you can apply for the visa in the beginning of May.
How long is H1b is valid without stamping?
Your H-1B visa will be valid for a maximum of six years. If it expires and USCIS approves your new one, you can get it re-stamped. Just follow the same procedures as when you first applied for the stamping, except that the U.S. consulate may ask for some additional documents.
Does H1B transfer require visa stamping?
You do not need a new stamp on your passport after transfer. You just give your H-1B info (a copy of your passport and H-1B visa pages) to your new employer and they deal with the transfer related paperwork.
Can I enter US with valid H1 visa stamp?
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. The H-1B visa photo must meet specific requirements.
How can I get H1B stamping?
H-1B Visa Stamping ProcessH-1B Visa Application Form DS-160. Form DS-160 can only be completed online at the Department of State. ... Submit Application Payment and Schedule the H-1B Visa Appointment. After paying the required fees, the foreign professional must schedule two appointments. ... The H-1B Visa Interview.
When can I stamp my H1B visa?
As per their recommendation, you can apply for an H1B visa stamping only 90 days prior to your H1B employment start date.
Is it mandatory to get H1B visa stamp?
Is There a Requirement to Go to My Home Country for H1B Stamping? The short answer is no. You wouldn't have to go to your country to get your H-1B visa stamping process completed provided you can locate the consular officers in the region you are.
What documents do I need for H-1B stamping?
Documents Required for H-1B StampingAppointment 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.Form I-129.Payment stubs for at least the last three months.H classification supplement to form I-129.More items...
How do I pay H-1B stamping fee?
The fee can be paid either electronically as a bank transfer or in cash at designated CitiBank or Axis bank branches throughout India.Create a profile at US Visa appointment system website.Choose the Schedule Appointment option and follow through.Once you arrive at the payment confirmation screen, initiate payment.More items...
What is the process for visa stamping?
InterviewExpired and current passports.Digital photograph of the applicant.Form DS160 visa application conformation page with Visa Application Centre stamp.Receipt of visa application.All documents related to the petition.The appointment letter.Supplementary documentation.
How can I get H1B stamping in India?
Get a digital photograph. Each individual H1B visa application requires a digital photograph. ... Complete H1B visa application form DS160. ... Pay the H1B visa application fee. ... Take appointment for visa interview. ... US Visa Fingerprinting at Visa Application Center (VAC) ... Go for visa interview at designated US consulate.
How long H-1B petition is valid without stamping?
Step one: Schedule an H1B visa stamping interview Applying for visa stamping is allowed up to 90 days before the start date of your petition. For example, if your H-1B visa is cap-subject and selected during the lottery, the start date will be October 1 (or the first day of the USCIS fiscal year).
Is US embassy open in India for H-1B stamping?
Immigrant Visa Stamping: US Embassy in India have resumed processing of Immigrant Visas and there are no restrictions in place. US Consulate in Mumbai is reaching out to the previous pending cases and they will be processed in chronological order.
When can I apply for H-1B visa 2023?
The initial registration period for FY 2023 will open at noon Eastern on March 1 and run through noon Eastern on March 18. Both representatives and registrants must wait until March 1 to create and submit H-1B registrations.
When can I enter the U.S with an H1B visa stamp?
After you submit the documents above and prove you have fulfilled all criteria, the U.S Embassy could decide to give you the H1B visa stamp. If you get the stamp though, you might ask yourself when you can enter the U.S with that stamp.
What do you need to do before you get your H1B stamp?
Successful medical examination – before you go in for your H1B stamping, you should undergo a medical examination. This means that a licensed doctor has done a full check up which is required by the U.S Embassy and that you are healthy and in good condition to work.
How long does a passport last after H1B expires?
To qualify for your H1B visa stamping, you should fulfill these criteria: Have a valid passport – which should continue to be valid for 6 more months after your H1B visa expires. If your passport expires earlier, you should apply for a new one before starting your H1B application.
What does a visa stamp mean?
The visa stamp tells them that you have gone through all application procedures and that the U.S Embassy in your country has decided that you fulfill the requirements to enter the U.S. For an H1B visa, this means that the U.S Embassy, the Department of Labor, and USCIS have unanimously decided through their petition approvals that you can go into the country and work there.
How to get a visa stamp?
Before you get your visa stamp, you also have to submit a complete set of these documents: 1 A completed DS-156 Form which must be signed by the applicant 2 A completed DS-157 Form 3 One photograph taken within the last six months 4 The USCIS approval through Form I-797 5 The original visa petition through Form I-129 6 The Labor Condition Application (LCA) from the Department of Labor 7 Letter from your U.S employer with details about your job position, salary, and job description 8 Company information of your US employer with photographs, address, prospectus, brochures, and annual report 9 Letters from previous employers to prove your work experience 10 Diplomas and certificates of your academic qualifications 11 Your resume or curriculum vitae (CV) 12 Your current address in your home country 13 Bank statements for the last three months 14 Receipts that you have paid all applicable fees 15 Your Social Security Number (if you already have one)
Why is the H1B visa so popular?
The H1B visa is popular amongst those who would like to become employed in the U.S for a specified period of time. They might want to have some international experience or a higher salary than what they have in their home country.
How long do you have to work to get an H1B visa?
There is a rule from the U.S that H1B visa holders can enter the U.S only 10 days before they have to start working. The date when you start working is on your Form I-797 that proves your USCIS petition was approved.
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.
How long do you have to bring W2?
Depending on how long you’ve been in the US and your current status, bring the following documents to the best of your ability: W2 Tax forms for at least from the last 2 years. 1040s tax returns. Social security card.
How long can I extend my I-140 visa?
It is possible, however, to extend the length of your visa after 6 years with an I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, but how long an extension will be granted is dependent on a number of factors.
Does premium processing increase H1B?
Premium processing relates to how fast the USCIS will process your I-129 petition. It will not increase your chances for H1B selection or speed up your H1B visa stamping.
Is my H1B petition valid?
Most likely not. The validity of your H1B petition is dependant on whether your I-797 form and job offer are still current. If the I-797 or the job offer has expired, your H1B petition will have been discontinued.
Where to schedule H1B interview?
After you have paid everything, you will have two interviews to schedule: one at the Offsite Facilitation Center, and one at the embassy or consulate. Make sure that you do not forget about the fingerprints.
Where to apply for H1B visa in Mexico?
The available consulates are found in Ciudad Juarez, Matamoros, Nuevo Laredo, Nogales , and Tijuana. Collectively, these US consulates are referred to as border posts.
What does a visa stamp tell you?
Practically speaking, the visa stamp will tell you that you passed every question they might have had, checked your documents, and also had your assets checked. It will show that you have all the good intentions upon entering the country and that you are by no means a danger or a liability.
How long do you have to apply for a visa before you start working?
Generally speaking, you will have to apply for the visa stamping about 90 days before you begin working at your new workplace. In essence, the stamping visa process requires that you go through the following steps, in order:
How long does it take to get a visa in the US?
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.
How long does it take to get scanned for VAC?
Most users say that you should arrive about 15 minutes before the time of your appointment at VAC, mostly because you will have to be scanned and checked through your documents. This process usually lasts somewhere around 10 to 15 minutes – and you also do not have a waiting area. Pictures will also have to be clear.
How many digits are in DS 160?
You may only complete Form DS-160 online, provided by the Department of State. Upon completing the form, you will receive a 10-digit barcode that will act as your confirmation. Write down the code, as you will need it for the moment you have your interview.
What is the difference between H1 status and H1 visa?
H1 status and H1 Visa stamping both are different things. H1 approval is the authorization to work in US, and Visa stamped on your passport is authorization to enter into USA.
How long does an H1 visa last?
Mostly H1 authorizations (form I-797) are issued for 3 years, so the Visa stamped on your passport reflects the date close to this expiry date, unless consulate gives you a Visa for duration less than the Date on your H1 form.
Where can I take an appointment for US visa stamping in India?
In India, you can take appointment to any US consulate (Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, or Kolkata). Appointment must be taken through www.USTravelDocs.com/in. Consulate also has priority/urgent appointment quota for people who are visiting India and need to do re-stamping. See complete details about How to take Visa stamping appointment in India.
Is re-stamping the same as stamping?
The process of re-stamping is same as any new US visa stamping, except that there is flexibil ity and different/min documents are required. Even though though it is re-stamping, applicant needs to appear for personal interview at the US consulate.
Can I have my first H1B visa stamped in Canada?
There is an option to have your first H1B visa stamped in Canada. However, they do reserve the right to refuse to stamp visas in the Canadian consulate. If your education has been predominantly done in your home country, or any country apart from the U.S. or Canada, they may not stamp your visa.
Can I have my visa stamped in Mexico?
No. You can not go to Mexico for a Change of Status or to have a first-time H1B visa stamped. In the past, this was an option, but currently, only visa renewals can be done in Mexico.
Can I work if I have a tourist visa?
i.e., even if you have other visa (L1, TN or other) if you use your tourist visa for entry, you are saying that you won’t work, you will only be around. So
Can I change my consulate for visa stamping?
So by reading this particular text in your I-797B, you may indeed change the consulate for visa stamping but you need your petitioner (employer) to file for the change.
