He gave guidance on how consulates in India will handle appointments for rest 2022 and 2023. Below is the summary of the key updates from them. Below is sample 221g given at Consulate for H1B Dropbox before pandemic asking to attend the consulate for interview on any day. Pranay, It is the case for everyone. Below are the details, you can check the tweet and video as well below: US Embassy in India processed a record number of 120,000 F1 Visas in 2021. When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on individual circumstances of each case. If so, whats the point of dropbox if the delay is almost as consulate interview and if not, how to check for approximate available dates. New, Renewal? Please advice. I am trying to schedule H1b visa stamp dropbox at Mumbai VAC but on cgi federal there are zero appointment slots available there are no slots even for 2023. anyone idea when they will be opening up? June 28th, 2022: Below are the latest updates from the previous two weeks until now. I have got the appointment at 4:45 pm for drop box. When are the H1b dropbox dates expected to be released? Thanks. They are completely different from H1B visa denial. Below is the list of documents that need to be submitted for H1B Dropbox Submission during the appointment : Never give any original documents, except your passport. Will I be eligible if I meet all above mentioned criteria but applied under consular processing? Thank you. Gauri, If he plans and keeps looking, he should be able to get a slot. (need to book my return accordingly) 2) Did anyone else face this situation of no dropbox? Also, they do not plan to cancel existing appointments. MHim. Those who are attending the interviews now, could someone tell when they booked it and if they have been waiting for several months or more than a year? Embassy and Consulate websites will also explain any additional procedures for students, exchange visitors and those persons who need an earlier visa interview appointment. The number of in-person appointment slots are very limited. If it is really refused how will I be communicated? The difference is that if your expedite request is denied your . H1B primary uses dropbox and H4 dependent appears for the visa interview. what will happen if I-797B validity expires before scheduling slots? I'm able to see dropbox availability across all sites. Due to Omicron variant, if Govt gives any instructions then they may cancel appointments. RedBus2US.com 2010 - 2023, All Rights Reserved. Any guidance/suggestions are appreciated. No changes in terms of consulates operation status. Again, in December 2022, they confirmed the availability of the 48-month dropbox rule for 2023 and beyond as well. Changing h1b stamping interview appointment to drop box after 48 months rule. They updated their system in October 2022, Due to the extreme amount of demand, they have slowed down the approvals of EA requests . or any help you can provide is appreciated. No more placeholders slots, you can book appointments far beyond 6 months up to 1.5 years and use the same. Beware that you can reschedule an appointment only 4 times. Please share if anyone has had this experience. Example: If you had B1/B2 from the past issued by a US Consulate/ Embassy, and now applying for H1B for the first time, then you would answer Yes to this question. Check When to get H1B stamping after approval of petition. However, the drop box appointments we are getting are for Nov 2023. Thanks. Your H1B visa stamp in your passport was not lost, stolen, or canceled, or has CWOP written on the visa. The CGI Federal / USTravelDocs website got updated with two new questions that is used to determine the interview waiver eligibility based on the new rule. Update: Before November 28th, 2021, for dropbox or interview waiver appointments, it used to show IW at the end of the consulate name in the dropdown, where you select the interview location. Share your thoughts and inputs in comments section below. Please continue to monitor https://t.co/NWWVNbHYHX for appointments as they open. US Consulates to issue about 800K visas in India in next 12 months. You will need to schedule an appointment to visit the Document Drop-Off locations to submit your documents but do not need to schedule a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate.. But, if they have requested for it, you need to honor it and go there. Dashboard. They say that they open appointments on a rolling basis. Im so confused. See below tweets. Book now in time for holiday travel. Can someone confirm please, Good afternoon.. First-time B1/B2 applicants can now book in-person appointments for interviews. I am working in the US on approved H1B. My offer letter has employer name as A & B US LLP. Response: Check, if your most recently issued US Visa meets all the below conditions: If your answer is Yes to all the above 3 points, then you would answer No to this question. Yes. What should my answer be to the question on cgi website: Do you have a previous US visa in any class issued? All the slots in 2023 and beyond are not placeholder slots. It looks like this, as in the below screenshot. US Embassy Confirmed on May 18th that they opened slots for June and the first half of July for F, M and J visa applicants. travel.state.gov site shows too much delay. Below is the summary. Could you please help? The new change without specific question tied to H1B visa is valid until December 31st, 2023. Hi, I am in the US and got my H1b renewal approved (I-797). Visa applicants are reminded to apply early for their visas, well in advance of the anticipated travel date. This will be listed as Step 2 in the wizard. No changes in the overall US Consulates situation in India, they are still operating in a limited fashion. You can check VisaGrader to understand some trends. This option is to add your dependents as applicable if you are taking your H4 Dependents (spouse and children) for visa stamping along with you. Hi Kumar, First I would like to thank you for providing timely updates on your site. Im looking for a H1B In person Interview slot availability for the month of September 2022, but I only see slots open from Jan 2023. My F1 visa was rejected once and aprroved in the second attempt. I paid the combined fees through NEFT in one transaction. No changes in the US Consulates status in terms of their operations; everything is still operating at limited capacity. You need to meet all of the below requirements to be eligible for dropbox stamping. You need to go only during the appointment date and allowed times to the dropbox location in the appointment confirmation letter. If any doubt, reach out to them or consulate directly. I keep getting the same message below. If my H1-B visa renewal start date is 29 October, can I take any appointment after July 29 which satisfies the rule that I can get my H1-B stamping done 90 days prior to my start date? As per the US Visa Dropbox Appointment Letter, below is the screenshot of the list of documents that you need to carry for document submission. I turned in the additional document along with the yellow slip & unstamped passport yesterday at Chennai VAC but didnt include copies of H1B petition and offer letter that they returned. Could someone please share the list of documents you sent for Dropbox renewal? Process To Apply For H1-B Visa Dropbox Appointment Step 1: DS-160 The DS-160 is a non-immigrant US Visa Application available online. H1B visa appointment availability. You need to wait. I am only looking to get the visa sticker in my passport so I can travel back home to England and see family. Gauri, Very hard to get a slot. After you submit the documents, you can check your US Visa Status Online on the Consular Electronic Application Center(CEAC) website. Luckily after lot of try today, i got OFC ( i believe this is biometric/Fingerprinting appointment in chennai location) and consular appointment on further date, i got in MUmbai consulate. Once you go past this screen, you will get a chance to add your dependents. They said the slots would open up in batches in weeks leading to each student season. Also, they said you cannot get the passport back during these 3 to 4 weeks period if you really want to for any reason. If anyone travels without planning and a confirmed slot, they say that applicants need to be prepared to stay for an extended period of time in India. US Embassy updated that as mentioned in Facebook live previously, they released 100,000 H and L Visa appointments and thousands have booked appointments. How about my wife and son, will they be eligible for drop box? No change in US Consulates operation status, they all are processing in limited fashion as like in before weeks. Today even on the OFC appointments page it is saying There are currently no appointments available. US Embassy had Visa Fridays on May 20th, 2022. All they says is they will opened soon. Hi All, Ive booked my dropbox appointment for May 2023 with my existing passport details but my current passport is expiring in October 2023. The appointment letter would have all the details related to the representative submission process. This is for Mumbai consulate. No changes in the US Consulates situation or the way they are operating in the last week or so. As per them, they suggest not to cancel an in-person appointment. They plan to open more in-person and dropbox slots. Dear Mr Kumar , You have been very helpful to everyone . Due to pandemic he could not visit india . just want to check has any one faced same kind of issue for changing the status from approved to issued? Hi kumar. Hey Sidx, Even I got the earliest dropbox appointment for May 2023 and seems like no earlier than this month is open for now. US Visa Stamping Passport Tracking Statuses meaning, H1B Visa Dropbox Process Step by Step Guide, Guide to Apply for Emergency Appointment in India. Can I get stamping for my dependants using my approved I797? Most of it not available at least until September. So, you would answer based on most recent one, which is from 2022 and approved. 2. See below screenshot of the response. I know this is a million dollar question but did anyone have any luck for any slots opening till this Dec 2022 ? But there are no Consular Appointments available and I keep seeing the error- No Appointments available. No new changes in terms of consulate operation status or opening of appointments since the last update on April 19th, 2022. The updates are accurate and reflect weekly updates from consulate. I had the exact same experience @Sumiran. When do they add new slots to the system? In this case, it clearly tells that the applicant has to attend the interview. I need to update my DS160 number as I had to make some changes after the appointment is confirmed? This question applies to your most recent US Visa, it could be H1-B Visa or any other visa. US Consulates in India issued a record number of, US Embassy conducted Visa Fridays Q&A last week on September 8th, 2022. If I have already attempted twice , what is the next option please . Can someone please help I submitted in Dropbox chennai April 26 th and ceac status shown as application received till now and cgi federal website not showing passport is with us embassy earlier it use to show passport is with us embassy consulate Can someone please let me know Chennai consulate email Id if I can mail and ask them kindly help Im very much worried or any hotline to call ? I am on my 3rd year of my 1st H1B visa and my company will not be renewing until July 2023. B1/B2, H1, F1? The only way to check is to check using the questionnaire. Response: If you had any US Visa issued in the past after you turned 14 years old, you would answer Yes. It can take between 3 and 21 days to have your visa processed through DropBox. Can we go with Drop-Box slot for my wife and 2 Kids? So be careful. Ashish, You can get the stamping done 90 days before from the start date on the petition. Also, in general, they do not plan to cancel appointments, if there is no specific local guidance or restriction. You would see this listed as Step 3 in the wizard as in the below screenshot. Work (H1b, L-1) - H and L visas . what should I select for Did your most recent application result in you being issued the visa? This will be an yes right? After that you will need to complete personal data like passport, address info, contact info, mailing address, DS-160 info, etc. I am eligible for dropbox but I dont see any OFC appointments in Mumbai or other consulates. Check the estimated wait time for a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. US Visa Appointments Slots Availablity in India, Official US Embassy Facebook Page Link of News, Official US Embassy Instagram Link of New, Clearance Received or Department Authorization Annotation, website as part of the top 10 visa questions, Travel to India No need of RT-PCR, if fully vaccinated, How does new Interview Waiver Rule work Screenshots. Any guidance any specific timing we can check slots ? No new updates from last week. The below history information is not applicable now ( after Nov 8, 2021). See the below screenshots. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They say they cannot share exact dates on when they will release dates for October to December. Below is a sample 221g issued by the Consulate for dropbox stamping that was not successful in August 2022 from New Delhi. Thanks Kumar, I went for re-interview and it went well. You probably need to carry all updated documents , otherwise you will get 221g. 20,000 New Dropbox Appointments Available In India In a welcome move, The US State Department has announced an additional 20,000 dropbox interview waiver appointment slots in various US consulates in India. Jump To: My Cases. Next, you need to select the Visa Class, which is H1B Visa. Looking for visa appointments for b1/b2 for my parents . our son is just 5 months and staying away from his father is really sad. Rohit, If you are eligible for dropbox, you cannot go for an interview as the system will not let you do that. Alternatively, if you go to www.USTravelDocs.com website, select the relevant country, where you plan to get stamping, they will have relevant parameters at the end of the URL that set the country and language automatically. So, if you have an appointment, you are good, otherwise, you would need to defer your admission. Have anyone seen Interview slots in Hyderabad for the month of Sept yet? Emergency appointments: They say that weddings, family visits, graduations, grandkids birth, and the start of school for kids in the US are not eligible for an emergency appointment. I am unable to schedule b2 visa appointment for my parents even after selecting 2025 jan dates, biometric appoitment is available but not for interview.. anybody in same situation or any luck with booking slots for the appoitment? doddamani, They are not eligible. See below the video links, US Embassy also updated their Facebook page saying they will not entertain any Emergency Appointments for F1 students applying for Fall 2022 now as it is really early and there is time to book slots. can anyone help, going to agent will help? Mihir, Usually for kids, both parents must have the stamping done and valid. January 1st, 2022 : Below are the latest updates from today. Only at this point will a consular section consider your request for an expedited appointment. I wanted to know can I submit my documents Mumbai VAC or do I need to submit it in Chennai VAC only? How to check whether slots are open or not. In general, you have one year from the day you paid Visa fee to use the same. If you do not have any annotations in the visa stamp such as Clearance Received or Department Authorization, you would answer No. Planning to visit India now. This includes H1B Visa as well. Want to know if there is a way to book an interview so that I can go with my family and get the stamping with my approved I797. Consular sections overseas may be able to expedite your interview date if there is an urgent, unforeseen situation such as a funeral, medical emergency, or school start date. On Jan 1st, 2022, CGI Federal/UStravelDocs website got updated with new questions that implements the new interview waiver rule. Anyone in a similar situation successfully did visa stamping? what should I select for Did your most recent application result in you being issued the visa?. You should refer to the instructions on the website of the Embassy or Consulate Visa Section where you will interview, or on their online appointment scheduling site. Thanks Sid. For B1/B2 , the update from Consulate mentions all slots open in 2022 / 2023 are NOT Placeholder slots, which means they are actual appointments. U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS, See details on appointment availability and processing times, Embassy or Consulate Visa Section website, Interview Required Students/Exchange Visitors (F, M, J), Interview Required Petition-Based Temporary Workers (H, L, O, P, Q), Interview Required Crew and Transit (C, D, C1/D), Interview Waiver Students/Exchange Visitors (F, M, J), Interview Waiver Petition-Based Temporary Workers (H, L, O, P, Q), Interview Waiver Crew and Transit (C, D, C1/D). They also said they cannot guarantee getting a slot. It shows details about document drop-off and pickup options for a fee as well. sai, It can take time. Date for Filing Visa Application. Like Indian Time or US day time also we should keep checking slot? They say they are trying to incrase the capacity, but say to expect significant wait times for quite some time. Is this fine? 100K H and L Visa Appointments to be released in October in India. Slots are fully booked for H and L for the next few months. You need to go to the relevant address of the documents drop-off location that is on the Dropbox Confirmation Letter. You will need to click on the option that says Add by Name as it looks in the below screenshot. Drop off your listed documents at locations mentioned on the appointment letter. as I understood. Is this normal? I got my H1b visa approved in USA in 2022. Also, the current receipt fee is valid until Sep 30th 2023 (approx 1 year from date of purchase etc.) I do not have a stamped visa yet and Im planning to schedule a stamping/drop-box appointment. Do share your inputs here on what they asked for community benefit. However, if I leave the US, I will need a new H1B stamp in order to return in Jan (which I must do, for work). I havent got any communication from the emabssy/consulate. Am I able to apply for the interview waiver even though I already have a H1B? US Consulates are set to release tens of thousands of F1 visa slots for Fall 2022 starting from mid-May stay tuned. They have not given exact date when they will open slots for Fall 2022. In absence of available appointments can I mail in my H1B renewal application? Can I submit and pick up passports on behalf of dependents or do all have to to go along? They announced multiple measures on January 22nd to address the wait times. Update: In the past, the question used to say Was your most recent H-1B visa (temporary occupation, temporary worker or trainee) issued in
Rent To Own Homes In Mississippi,
Benefic And Malefic Planets Calculator,
Articles H