What Is Process for H1 Stamping in India
H1B Visa Stamping Experiences & What to Expect
Posted by Frank Gogol
When it comes to getting your visa, there are quite a number of things that you have to get in order. You have to obtain documentation from your sponsor, you have to submit paperwork, and you also have to schedule for an interview. However, none of that can be done unless you get the H1B visa stamping in order.
But what exactly does the H1B visa stamping process entail? Who needs an H1B visa – and how do you proceed to get one? Well, this article should guide you in everything that you should know about the H1B visa stamping.
Overview of the H1B Stamping Process
The H1B visa stamping process can be quite a complicated and stressful one – however, it is still a necessary one. Without the visa stamping, you will not have your petition approved – which means that you will also not be able to schedule your HB1 visa interview. Practically, without the visa stamp, you will not be able to proceed with your visa application.
Simply put, if you are an immigrant of outstanding ability that decided to take their business into another country, you might qualify for an H1B visa. However, once your petition gets approved and you get pre-approved to enter the country on a visa, you will need to also apply for visa stamping – which is the last (yet most important) step of getting your visa.
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. 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:
Retrieve a Picture
The picture for your H1B visa must meet several requirements. First of all, it must be a square picture – with dimensions that are minimum 600 x 600 pixels and a maximum 1200 x 1200. You must also provide it in color, in a JPEG format. Bear in mind that even if the pixels are met, the picture size should not be bigger than 1200 pixels.
Form DS-160 for H1B Visa Application
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.
Pay the Fees and Schedule the Appointment
Your H1B visa will also involve some fees that you will have to pay. 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.
Bear in mind that the VAC (Visa Application Center) requires that you schedule your appointment at least two days before you set the interview with the embassy or consulate. You will also have to provide some biometrics and also pay a few extra fees.
Go to the Interview
Once everything has been set in order, you will be required to go to the consulate for the interview. You will have to bring the following H1B visa documents with you:
- Your current as well as expired passports
- A picture featuring the correct dimensions mentioned earlier
- A print of the DS-160 Visa Application confirmation page that also shows the VAC stamp
- The Visa application receipt
- The appointment letter
- The documents related to your petition
- Any supplementary documents that you might need.
Bear in mind that in order for your H1B visa stamping process to be completed successfully, you will also have to go through a series of questions. Answer them truthfully – because if anyone feels like you are being dishonest, it might not go well with your visa application process.
H1B Visa Stamping Experience
The vH1B visa stamping is a key step if you wish to get started with your work as an immigrant. However, since the process can be rather confusing and involves quite a lot of documents, it can be very easy to lose yourself behind the mountain of chores – particularly if there are some things that you didn't know about. You might think that you learned about everything from their page – but you were rejected because of a simple unmentioned thing you didn't really think about. This is why you need to read more about other people's H1B visa interview experience.
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. Many people advise that you should wear dark clothing for your visa photo, as the background of the picture is white. Check your passport as well, as it should match the name you provided in your DS-160. If you changed your name after marriage, you should bring your marriage certificate to prove it – and if it was a mismatch, you may correct it at a center that is found in the building's parking lot.
Make sure that you bring your degree certificates, resumes, as well as letters of experience from your employer. Provide the appropriate answers for any H1B visa interview questions that you may receive. From experience, people also advise that for the H1B visa, you may want to wear formal attire.
Bear in mind that you will not be allowed to have mobile phones on you – the same goes for smartwatches, wallets, car keys that have remote locking or pretty much any electronic device. If you can't leave them at home, at least leave them with the person that has accompanied you to the consulate. If all fails, you may also opt for the locker area.
There were a few complaints that you cannot use PayPal or overseas credit cards to make your payments – which might be inconvenient. As for the interview, people advise that you refrain from overhearing questions, as all it will do is stress you out. You may begin to prepare answers, a process that might not always sound honest – and it might cost you your visa.
H1B Stamping by Country
With each country, the visa stamping process is fairly much the same. However, to make things easier for you, here is what you should expect from the stamping process in each country.
H1B Stamping India
To get your H1B stamping in India, you will have to fill in the DS-160 form, and then schedule your H1B interview at India's US embassy. You may go for any US embassy that you want, but it is advised that you choose the one that is closest to the place where you live.
Once the form has been filled and the fees for the visa interview are paid, you will have to go to the US visa OFC center, where you will have your digital photograph taken, as well as your fingerprints. 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.
H1B Stamping Canada
The visa stamping process is not very different in Canada as compared to other countries. You may choose any consulate across Canada – including the ones in Montreal, Quebec City, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Halifax. To make the process easier for you, you may want to go for the one that is closest to your place of residence.
Bear in mind that if you are also bringing your spouse and children to the visa interview, you will need additional documents for them. The documents may be applied from your place of residence – and if everything goes smoothly, you should be getting your stamping process finished in one week.
H1B Stamping Mexico
Due to its geographical proximity to the United States, many people prefer to go to Mexico in order to apply for or renew their H1B visa. The available consulates are found in Ciudad Juarez, Matamoros, Nuevo Laredo, Nogales, and Tijuana. Collectively, these US consulates are referred to as border posts.
Bear in mind that the visa stamping process here usually takes three days – provided there aren't any delays. You will need one for fingerprinting, one for going to your interview – and one to pick up your passport.
Final Thoughts
In some countries, the process may be smooth – whereas, in others, it may take more than a couple of days. What's important is that you follow the process step-by-step and that you prepare all the necessary documents. That way, you should be able to easily get your H1B visa. To help your process, even more, you may want to get an H1B visa guide.
Frank Gogol
I'm a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.
Stilt, Inc strives to keep this blog information accurate and up to date. All information is presented without warranty. Discrepancies may be found. This blog does not consist of legal advice.
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What Is Process for H1 Stamping in India
Source: https://www.stilt.com/blog/2020/02/h1b-visa-stamping-experiences/
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