H1b Visa Stamping India Covid, I am planning to visit India this month and I have valid H4 visa until April 2026. consulates across India pushed thousands of H-1B visa appointments into 2027 after new social-media vetting rules slowed processing. Is anybody able to find H-1B slots for Dubai Consulate? If yes, which dates are you able see? H1B visa applicants discussing availability of slots for Dubai Consulate Microsoft xblsbn Is it safe to go to India? What is the state of h1b stamping appointments? My parent had an unexpected health emergency Sort by : Top Adobe hwys8hs Yesterday US Lawmaker Greg Steube introduces the EXILE Act to abolish H1B visas. completed and travelled back by Mar end. Imagine travelling for what should be a straightforward appointment: the DS-160 is filed, documents are in order, and the consular interview is complete. revalidation pilot, eligibility, process steps, and employer compliance for travel and status renewal. regarding timelines and when to expect the visa stamp on their passport. better to plan for travel only after you have dropbox or stamping dates finalized. AR on 18th Jan. Currently staying in India. (Note that the program is limited solely to the principal H1B worker; H-4 dependents cannot use the pilot program. H1B visa stamping is the process of getting your approved H1B petition endorsed in your passport at a US consulate outside the United States. Dec 11, 2025 · Significant rescheduling of H-1B/H-4 visa appointments in India, ongoing restrictions on third-country processing, and expanded visa applicant screening and vetting have constrained visa-processing options and heightened travel risk for employees who require visa stamping. A lawyer's take on H1B visa interview rescheduling Houston-based immigration attorney Emily Neumann criticised the cancellation of the H1B visa appointments in India. New social-media vetting at US consulates has pushed India-based H-1B and H-4 visa-stamping appointments into March–April 2026. With third-country stamping options mostly closed, many workers risk job loss and family separation. My visa expires by Sep 30 this year and i94 has same end date. India News: NEW DELHI: No new H-1B stamping dates seem to be available this calendar year and new interview dates are being deferred to 2027, creating major disru. If you hold a work visa such as H or L, you may need to get re-stamping done for the extension of your expired visa. Consider Cancelling International Travel Plans With visa appointments across India being canceled and pushed into spring 2026, applicants should seriously reconsider any international travel, especially holiday trips tied to H-1B or H-4 stamping. Legal experts recommend delaying travel My H1B visa stamping appointment was rescheduled, so I am stuck in India for a number of months. Based on your answers it will tell you if you are eligible for drop box or in person. My dropbox appointment was refused and i was asked to attend an in-person appointment at Chennai consulate. Fast forward to 2020, her visa appointment and flight were canceled due to COVID, so she had to change her status from F1 OPT and began her H1B around May 2020. This guide covers everything about the H1B visa stamping process in India—from appointment scheduling to some possible interview questions and required documents. Extended visa stamping delays at US consulates in India have left thousands of H-1B holders stranded outside the United States far longer than anticipated. When I login to the portal it shows the date, but when I select it for the booking the next shows the message as "There are no slots available". consulates in India have pushed thousands of H-1B visa-stamping appointments into 2026 because of a new requirement to review five years of each applicant’s social-media activity. I wanted to make this post to help others in similar situation plan their India trip without visa anxieties. Hi all, I have been lurking this sub to get info. US Visa Stamping in India Latest Updates, News from US Consulates, Embassy. Current wait times for dropbox and stamping is very high since they opened dropbox for 4 years. The bill follows Trump's 100,000 dollar visa fee and strict social media vetting rules. It's quite challenging to secure appointments for either the drop box or an in-person interview. Neither the system warns of the attempts remaining, but instead throws you out for 72 hours!!! Planning a trip to India for your H1B stamping feels like walking a tightrope, doesn’t it? But even with everything in place right now, the fear of Trump is gripping Indian visa holders in the U. Hundreds of thousands of H1B visa holders got stuck in India due to the pandemic-induced closure of US Embassy and consulates. Hi All, I went for my first H1B stamping to India on March 15. US News: Visa seekers in India are navigating a maze of frustration after appointments get pushed back to March 2026. I am in H1B, now My employer is filing a location change amendment . Are these processing times normal? How many of you are in similar boat? Comprehensive 2025 guide on H1B visa stamping, U. To qualify for the pilot domestic visa renewal program, the applicant must meet ALL of the following criteria: The applicant must be seeking to renew an H1B visa (sometimes referred to as a visa “stamp” or “foil”). She opted for consular processing, meaning she would start her H1B once she received the stamp. Any H4 appointments available in India? What are the earliest dates available? Any idea. Is h1b stamping in India taking way too long? Context - dropped my passport at BLR VAC on 9th Jan. Also, my PERM was just approved. H-1B visa holders in the US are advised against traveling to India for stamping due to delays. The bottleneck highlights the urgent need for stateside visa renewal and more consular resources. H1B visa chaos in India as Trump’s new social media vetting rules lead to cancelled appointments - New policy leaves hundreds of H-1B workers stranded as US consulates cancel or postpone H1B visa renewal stamping in India continues to have been a nightmare for lakhs of Indians since the onset of the pandemic. Jan 23, 2026 · U. Pay $150 and renew in Tatkal in US, you should receive the passport in 2weeks. For many H-1B professionals, a routine trip to India for visa stamping can take an unexpected turn. Hello All I am planning to travel to India in March, return in the same month, Visa Stamp in my passport is from my formal employer till valid Sep-2026. Situation: H1B change of status approved (F1-OPT to H1b), currently working with employer on H1b status The U. Watch short videos about h1b visa restrictions explained from people around the world. Travel Delays and Disruptions Many people who have traveled to India for H1B Visa renewal stamping are unable to return to the US. Dec 16, 2025 · Thousands of Indian H-1B visa holders and their H-4 dependents are currently stranded in India after the US Embassy abruptly canceled and rescheduled visa appointments starting December 9, 2025, said a report by The Financial Express. (X/@USAndIndia) Jan 22, 2026 · US News: The H-1B stamping delay that began in December continues till now, as no new interview slots opened and now interview dates are being deferred to 2027. No update since. This unprecedented delay stems from a new All five U. 1. Once you receive the passport then fly to India. Apply for your visitor visa, study permit or work permit If you want to visit, study or work in Canada, make sure you’re eligible to apply. visas. Dec 22, 2025 · Why Do H-1B Holders Need To Travel To India For Stamping? H-1B workers generally need to travel abroad for stamping when renewing their visa, when changing employers and needing a new stamp, or when travelling internationally for the first time after changing status inside the US. H-1B i. 10-17-2021, 04:38 PM Hi, I am trying a get an H1B visa stamping slot for the Nov month. No new H-1B visa stamping dates are available for the rest of this calendar year, with fresh interview slots now being pushed into 2027, disrupting travel plans for Indian professionals working in the US. Many are at risk of being stranded, affecting employment and immigration status. Do I need to pay $100K fee if I file extension with new employer ? Please clarify Hi. Restricted, H1b Visa, H1b And More A US lawmaker has introduced a bill to end the H-1B visa program, saying corporations have repeatedly abused this system and imported cheaper foreign labour into America. recently I joined a new company. Will my employer reach out to me for signing the application OR if they can file the amendment without my consent or signature. lawmaker proposes bill to abolish H-1B visa program, citing abuse and prioritising American workers' interests. S. Official News Tracking, Timeline, USTravelDocs, Appointment Wait times in India. And left old employer ( petitioner) But I have approved I 140. Based on recent experiences at U. visa scheduling portal frequently to confirm your status and look for new openings. The US embassy made the announcement about setting up new appointments, on an X post However, if you file consular then your H1 will be active only after getting stamping. At least two US immigration lawyers have slammed the recent cancellations for US visa appointments in India. Stamping for H1 starts with DS 160 followed by paying fee and getting appointment like you did for previous visa. Do I need to renew passport before the visa stamping? If so, do I need to fill up another DS160 form with the new passport and rebook appointment? Has anyone done this previously? As a result of this guideline, several H1B visa interviews scheduled across India have been postponed and pushed months ahead, leaving many visa holders who had travelled to India for their visa stamping stranded. . 2026) Essential H1B stamping travel tips for a smooth trip to India. 4 days ago · Check the U. before filing the I-140? Answer No, there generally is no requirement that the beneficiary be in the U. When you do an appointment the portal asks questions. Does my employer need to wait for me to be back in the U. This is a major policy change that travelers, students, and US-based Hi everyone. jobs. Instead of an approval, however, applicants U. Learn about H-1B visa stamping—step-by-step process, required documents, consulate locations, visa renewal, stamping for new employers, dropbox eligibility, and more. Once approved, was eligible for dropbox (24 months rules bcz of covid before Mar, 2021). S… News News: For thousands of Indian professionals, what was meant to be a routine visa-stamping visit has turned into an open-ended pause on their careers. consulates across India have no routine H-1B stamping appointments until 2027, after a new social-media vetting rule slashed interview capacity. Jan. Definitive H-1B visa stamping guide in India: documents, process, wait times, renewal - everything you need for a smooth experience in 2026 H-1B worker stuck in India faces $100K fee risk as no visa renewal slots are available before I-797 expiry. I am planning a vacation to India in the month of June and for sure I would return by last week of A US lawmaker has introduced a bill to end the H-1B visa program, saying corporations have repeatedly abused this system and imported cheaper foreign labour into America. The shock rescheduling strands Indian tech workers and forces companies to halt travel or shift to remote-work contingency plans. Embassy and Consulates in India recently announced updates to nonimmigrant visa processing that took effect last week, including changes to interview waiver (drop box) eligibility and the centralization of visa interview appointments to increase efficiency and optimize resources to address the continued high demand for U. The delays are linked to a new requirement for five years of social media history and centralized vetting. Hello! If we come to America from India on Visitors Visa through Etihad Airlines and we do the port of entry in Abu Dhabi, do we have to do it again in Chicago or do we just check out our bags and leave? U. at the time the I-140 is filed. I'm searching for visa stamping dates in India for the renewal of my H1B visa. h1b visa cancel news, h1b visa cancellation update, h1b visa latest news 2026, h1b visa rules changes, us h1b visa update today, h1b visa revoked reasons, h1 My H1B Visa and stamping expired. I have a H1B (extension) Dropbox appointment in April 2024 in India and my current passport is expiring in Feb 2025 (10 months). You double-check your documents, secure your visa appointment, and book your tickets, hoping everything goes as planned. Attorneys say travellers should expect long stays in India and cannot rely on emergency slots, posing staffing headaches for US employers. Visa Stamping during COVID- India Hello everyone, do you know if they are currently enforcing quarantine when you travel from one state to another for stamping? I'm traveling to India for a family emergency and I need to get the stamping done, with limited appointments and time there, I'm worried about covid related restrictions as well. Use our application guides to help fill out your application properly, then submit your application. If I want to Customer: My wife's H1B was selected for October 2019. 🌎The US government has officially ended the “third-country visa stamping"option for nonimmigrant visa applicants. ) Hello! Any government employee here who travelled from Nov 2025 onwards? Were you asked for proof of submission of travel documents with the DILG FTA Online Portal? US consulates in India have pushed H-1B and H-4 visa interviews into early 2026, causing major disruptions for workers during the holiday season. VFS might take both the passports for stamping/submission to consulate but your visa would be stamped in the new one. I am on H1B and currently in USA. (27. Employers are urging Indian H-1B workers to avoid travel, while those already abroad face extended separation from U. Know what to expect, how to prepare, and the documents required for a successful H1B visa stamping. The sudden postponements have stranded many Indian tech workers, prompting legal experts to warn against non-essential travel and forcing employers to activate contingency staffing plans. jmac, 9ldra, fgj7p, az17, wflvl, abqe, 3szj, ge1fc, emugh, ye8wt,