what is the process for h1b visa stamping in india

How to Apply H1B Visa from India: H1B Stamping Experience

1. Submit the Documents for H1B Filing to Your Employer. ...
2. Wait for the H1B Lottery Results. USCIS will run lottery on the H1B registrations filed by the employers all over the world. ...
3. Wait for H1B Petition Approval. ...
4. Fill out DS160 Form for H1B. ...
5. Go for H1B Stamping to US consulate (Or Not) “When can I apply for H1B visa stamping ? ...

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Full Answer

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.

Can I transfer my H1B before stamping?

Yes, you can use premium processing when filing for the H-1B transfer. Moreover, you can use this option in both cases: when transferring your H-1B before or after stamping. Because you are filing a new petition, you need to get approval from the USCIS, which means that you can be denied.

How to apply H1B visa from India?

• Find a sponsor.
• Submit your peitition for a visa.
• Get in line.

How long does it take for H1B visa stamping in India?

1 to 4 weeksThe entire processing time may take from 1 to 4 weeks, depending on the demand.

How long does it take to process H1B visa stamp?

The H1B petition processing time, depending on the individual circumstances of each petition and whether additional evidence is requested, could take anywhere from two to six months. Where the premium processing option is taken, the process takes 15 calendar days.

When should I go for H1B stamping?

When you get hired by a US employer, they will provide you with a document which states your beginning employment date. 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.

Where can I get my H1B visa stamped in India?

How Can I get H1B Stamping in India? You have to fill form DS-160 and schedule an H1B visa interview appointment with the US embassy to get H1B stamping in India. You can choose any US embassy and we recommend the one that's closer to your residence.

Can H1B visa be rejected during stamping?

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.

How many days will take for visa stamping?

Applications are processed in the order of receipt. Processing usually takes 15 business days from receipt by the Embassy of a complete application and may take longer during peak times and in exceptional circumstances.

Can I enter US without stamping?

The Department of State regulations have a special provision called "automatic revalidation" that permits persons in F, J, H and O status to enter "contiguous territory" (Canada and Mexico) and return to the U.S. without a currently valid visa stamp in the passport.

Is it mandatory to go to home country for H-1B stamping?

Is There a Requirement to Go to My Home Country for H1B Stamping? The short answer is no.

What all documents are required 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...

Is offer letter required for H1B stamping?

While not absolutely required, these are a good idea to bring with you in case it comes up: A letter from your current employer, offering you a job extension. Copy of your CV. Company description, as well as documents of company projects.

How do I pay H1B stamping fee?

You will need a bank routing number and a checking or savings account number from a U.S. based bank. To pay your fee, log into your case in CEAC and click the 'PAY NOW' button under Affidavit of Support Fee or IV Fee on your summary page.

Do we need photo for H1B stamping?

When you apply for an H1B visa, you will be required to provide a photograph of yourself as part of your application. For the photograph to be accepted, you will need to ensure check that it adheres to the following: It is a colour photo. The photo must clearly show your full face, neck and shoulders.

How can I get H1B visa stamp in USA?

Documents required for the H1B visa stamping: A H1B visa Application form DS-160 completed online at U.S. Department of State. Keep a printed copy of the form handy would be required to represent while the time to schedule interview later.

How can I check my H1B stamping status online?

Check the Status of Your Visa https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx. Please wait at least three business days following your visa interview to check on the status of your application.

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 check my visa stamping status?

Type Your Visa Number In The First Box,In Second Box Type Sponsor Id (Iqama Number),Third Box Select City Of The Embassy Where Will You Visa Stamping, And fourth Box Type The Image Code. And Click To Search Button. Check Screen Shot Images Given Below.

H1B Visa Stamping

The following are the specifications and requirements in order to complete the H1B visa stamping process in India. These are arranged in terms of the H1B stamping timeline.

Application Fees and Schedule Appointment

The H1B application has a fee. To process this fee electronically and receive payment approval:

Additional Documents for Your H-1B Visa Stamping in India

The applicant might not be asked to present these, but they should keep them on hand.

Personal Documents for H1B Visa Stamping in India

Personal documents required depend from case to case. Requirements for one case may not be required in another. If the applicant lives in the US currently, they should bring copies of their utility bills and rental agreement. If the applicant wants to make sure which documents they need to bring, they should speak with their immigration attorney.

Documents for Spouse and dependent Children

Applicants with intentions to apply for an H-4 visa for their spouse and dependent children must bring:

FAQs

Who does the applicant have to set up interviews with for this process ?

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.

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.

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 submit payslips for H1B visa?

Usually your employer would ask you to submit payslips for the last one year or the offer letter or joining letter for the H1B visa application.

When is the lottery for H1B?

Usually all the applications for H1B are submitted to the USCIS right before April of every year. Most employers would probably send you an email informing you the same.

How much is H1B 2021?

The H1B fees vary depending on the size of the company. As of FY 2021 season, it can range anywhere from $1,710 USD to $7,910 USD + Attorney Fee. In the last few years the fees have changed. You can check for the updates on USCIS website.

What would the security check on a VAC appointment?

Once there, the security would check your appointment letter and passport to let you in. In the building, the VAC staff would verify it again. Then a token will be issued for biometrics & photos.

What do you need to fill out before applying for a visa?

Each employer sends you a U.S. visa questionnaire to fill in before filing your application. This would contain questions on the client name and address, the consulate that would process your application, and your personal details.

What is the form for nonimmigrant visa?

Once your petition is approved and you have an idea of when you would be traveling to the United States, it’s time to fill in the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application form called DS-160. It’s quite a long form where you need to fill in a lot of information, that would include both personal and professional information.

How long does it take for USCIS to process a SLA?

If your application is filed in regular processing, there is no SLA from USCIS. They can process it anywhere from few weeks to 6 months or more.

H1B visa stamping process in India

Once you have experienced different stages of the H1B visa interview experience, you can reach the H1B visa stamping stage, here are few steps that you need to follow:

Different situations you may face during the H1B visa stamping experience

You might face rejections on your path to achieving the H1B Visa and during the H1B Visa stamping experiences. There are several factors that can cause rejection, it could be because a particular document isn’t available or some other form of information that the attending.

H1B application process

The first and foremost thing you need to know is that an H1B visa needs to be applied through your employer. Your company has to first file a petition on your behalf with the US Department of Homeland Security after which you need to apply for a visa. Here are few steps that are critical to this process:

Conclusion

To conclude H1B Visa Stamping Experience (Thank God! that was definitely a long one), however, if you are going forward with one one, make sure to follow the steps diligently keeping an eye on every detail to have hassle-free approval of your visa.

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.

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

Is there a change in the US consulate visa?

Even though the travel ban is lifted, there is no change in the US Consulates visa appointments situation. Only limited appointments for Dropbox and some regular appointments. No Dropbox slots open for B1/B2 Appointments yet.

When did H1B visas get stamped?

Your H1B Visa was stamped in your passport after Jan 1, 2008

How to print H1B Dropbox confirmation letter?

After you book the dates, you will be navigated further to print the H1B Dropbox Appointment Confirmation Letter. It will usually be 6 pages. The first page would have your details, Appointment details, Document delivery or pickup info, fee information and DS-160 details. Second page would have the details of the Dropbox Location and instructions. See below screenshots. The list of documents to be carried will be given in rest of the pages by Visa type. Look for the one relevant for H and L Applicants. You can check more at Sample US Visa Dropbox Confirmation Letter India

What happens if my visa is not approved?

If your visa was not approved by Consulate for some reason with the Dropbox Option, then you will be notified that your visa was not approved. The visa status on CEAC website will continue show status as “Administrative Processing” or “Refused”.

What does VAC stand for in a biometric appointment?

If the screen is for Biometrics appointment, you would see the letters “VAC” at the end of the city name, which stand for “Visa Application Center”. See below screenshot to understand the difference.

How to use existing receipts for MRV?

You can say use existing receipts, then it takes you to the screen to book appointment

What do I need to do after I complete the DS-160?

After you complete the DS-160 form, you need to create a new user profile on CGI Federal Website and complete basic information about you.

What is DS-160 form?

DS-160 form is a very lengthy form and asks for a lot of information. It can take time to complete this form. Also, when you submit DS-160 form, you will get a confirmation number. The DS-160 confirmation number is also same as the Application ID.