Sara, yes, very much expected. Below are some key updates: April 11th, 2022: Below are the latest updates from April until today, including last week. as I understood. Check below tweet from them. They will verify all the documents and then take the listed documents in the above checklist. Seshadri, See the full letter, it should have more info. Is this dooable please advise. 1. No new updates from last week. Thank You Mr.Kumar for your prompt reply! our son is just 5 months and staying away from his father is really sad. If you do not have a genuine emergency, do not select Interview, go ahead and click on Drop-Off button. 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. Myself and my husband have valid US visa and after our son was born we have booked Dropbox interview waiver appointment for him. Can I get stamping for my dependants using my approved I797? If you do not have any annotations in the visa stamp such as Clearance Received or Department Authorization, you would answer No. Does this mean the answer is yes to the question? It is free and community-driven! Ive inquired with India support, they keep sending a general email and ask to go to the VAC at the scheduled time. GUIDE to Travel to US with valid Visa on Expired Passport ? No one knows if and when this issue may get fixed. Ajith, Sometimes, it can take time. Drop Box Appointments: Consular sections across India are now accepting a limited number of drop box applications for renewals of H, L, C1/D, O, I, F, M, and J visas at our Visa Application Centers. It looks like the below screenshot. I am in the same situation. When I filled out DS-160, my approved i797 was till Sep 2023 but later my company filed H1B amendment, and now I have approval i797 till 06 Jan 2024. After that you will need to complete personal data like passport, address info, contact info, mailing address, DS-160 info, etc. All H1 renewals are eligible for dropbox. Latest Visa Bulletin Analysis. In January 2023, US Consulates and Embassy processed over 1 lakh(100,000) visa applicants. Overall Current Status Summary: US Consulates in India continue to be closed for regular operations as of February 13th, 2023. more than 300 days for interview waiver appointment in Chennai. Many assume that they may not be eligible for H1B Visa using the dropbox option. In the past, the above question used to say in the same class for which you are applying, now it does not show that anymore due to certain exceptions until the end of 2023. Make sure you adjust your entry date and time to provide accurate information to the community. Manish, You should use the one that is valid right now with all the correct details. How to Apply for H4 EAD? I also would like to understand the same. 4) Do you think the US Consulate will give priority to those petitions, which were approved earlier, but the interview did not happen? It can take time to complete this form. Select the best city that you can think of where you would go for stamping. Could you please list all documents you sent to them for Dropbox renewal? 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. Question 2: Was your prior visa annotated Clearance Received or Department Authorization?. I was on L1B Visa and changed my status to H1B couple of years ago. They said that it is unlikely to have another batch of B1/B2 visa slots released in 2022 and say you might get lucky, if someone cancels. If your program starts in March or April, they suggest talking to the school and deferring the admission. The reality is that the employer name on US Visa is only an annotation added for reference of the CBP officer. Please can anyone confirm this? They said it can take anywhere from 10 to 30 days to get a passport with a US visa after the submission of documents for B1/B2 renewal. 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. Rishi, Yes, they can apply for interview waiver and apply for renewal now. Rohit, Usually for kids to apply for interview waiver, the parents both of them should have the visa. May 30th, 2022: Below are the latest updates from the previous week, until today. So do not be confused. Turned to Refused status on Oct 31. 82K F1 Visas were issued in India this summer and highest ever from India.. F1 Slots for Spring 2023 to open in mid-Oct and mid to late November. When can you Apply for H1B Visa Stamping after Petition Approval? H1B, H4, L, O, P and Q visa holders who meet certain criteria will get in-person interview waiver until end of 2023 ( Dec 31, 2023) .Also, F1, M, J visa holders who meet certain criteria would get in-person interview waiver until end of 2023 ( Dec 31, 2023). Rishi, This is accurate and in line with guidance given by the US Consulate head few weeks ago. I continued to live in US on F1 visa till 2021 (did not go back for stamp renewal). See below the official tweet, US Embassy answered questions on Visa Fridays on April 8th, below are key updates. In absence of available appointments can I mail in my H1B renewal application? You need to go to the relevant address of the documents drop-off location that is on the Dropbox Confirmation Letter. You also do not need to make any appointments. H1B dropbox query. I am on my 3rd year of my 1st H1B visa and my company will not be renewing until July 2023. Friend, relative, agent can drop. This will reduce and some hassle and we may see more people traveling to India. . In the past, the above question used to have question specific to H1B, but that is not relevant anymore until the end of 2023. Are you looking for any specific location. Hi Kumar my son trying for Dropbox appointment slot for H1B visa stamping. (need to book my return accordingly) 2) Did anyone else face this situation of no dropbox? Arvy D, I doubt, if we would have users sharing with timings. My case was created on Oct 28. They said they moved away from Language specific appointments for B1/B2. Is it possible that H1 is really refused and H4 is issued? Visa applicants are reminded to apply early for their visas, well in advance of the anticipated travel date. They are still operating in a limited fashion with limited appointments. 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. What is the usual processing time for new B1/B2 visas? You can click on the use existing receipts button and then it takes you to the screen to book an appointment. In 2021 my status changed from F1 to H1B with COS application. Nothing new. 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. But how can it be done for a dropbox appointment. You need to answer them correctly based on your situation. I dont know if there will be any complications at the OFC and Consular appointments because I qualify for Dropbox Or maybe they dont care abt my dropbox eligibility and they will just process my Visa application without any problem. As part of my application, I have a minor child (dependent) who is currently at H4 status without a stamped visa (last stamped visa was L2). US Visa Stamping India Updates [Feb 2023]: F1 Interviews for Summer to start in April, Summary of all Updates from US Consulates in India as of February 13th, 2023, Timeline, Official Links to Updates from US Consulates in India until February 13th, 2023, History of US Travel Ban for India, NIE (Reference only Not Applicable Now), FAQs US Consulates Updates with COVID-19, Read below articles on the Travel Ban Exceptions, NIE Details, Travel to USA Processes, Samples, How to Guides. Dropbox facility is available till 31st Dec 2022 only . This is same problem for everyone. This is Mihir having H1B Visa approved and working in USA now. Read the latest official news summary at: You can check full updates at the below Facebook Post. The F1 stamp in my passport expired in 2017. rayak August 17, 2016, 9:46pm #1. Do not worry too much, there is nothing you can do. I want to go ahead & choose this option but not sure to provide incorrect information by No to the question Whether you held a previous US visa, September 2 slots available for Mumbai OFC appointment for visa stamping anyone interested can chk, people, delhi OFC showed 10 slots try now. This is for Mumbai consulate. You can check VisaGraders Dropbox Tracker , they have data from users. See below screenshot of the response. They suggest to cancel and book dropbox slot, only when they find a slot. All the below are current and effective. I have an invitation to present my research papers (3 papers) for world Congress in August 2022 I have applied for B1 visa for the first time I have attempted emergency application but it was not granted . Should I wait till Sept 2022 for the further development of this or should I go ahead book that place holder appointment? 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. You can watch YouTube Video on where & how to check for US Consulates openings, wait times. It looks like in the below screenshot. Thats more than in any month since July 2019 and one of our highest monthly totals ever! They will start interviewing these applicants after the student visa season ( Aug, Sep 2022). If you click on each of them, it will show the details on how to make a payment. Student Appointments for Fall 2022 will be opened later in the spring. we dropped the docs in the Bangalore VFS center. I keep getting the same message below. US Consulates in India continue to be operating in a limited fashion as in the last few months. 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. 1. 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. Hi, Ive dropped off my documents on feb6th 2023 at hyderabad hitech city metro office and my visa and location both were same (HYD)..so after two days the status was changed to application received then its changed to approved.. since then i mean its been 8days and so on the status still shows approved only..im little worried is it completed approved or iwill be in process? Status Difference. On what basis he will be eligible for interview waiver/ Dropbox? If you plan to continue with old company then submit the employment verification letter. October 17th, 2022: Below are the updates from the beginning of October until today. They suggest keeping checking the CGI Federal website. My spouse and elder daughter is eligible for Drop Box as both got L1VISA approved earlier in 2014. Work (H1b, L-1) - H and L visas . ), It should not be marked as CWOP (Cancelled without Prejudice). US Embassy in India had Visa Friday Q&A Session on July 29th, 2022. All the slots in 2023 and beyond are not placeholder slots. He gave guidance on how consulates in India will handle appointments for rest 2022 and 2023. Best is to split, get the parents appointments done and approved, then apply for kids. Student visa appointments are available on our website. There were quite a few updates and they will not fit here, we wrote a separate article on the same. November 30th, 2022: US Embassy had Visa Fridays Q&A on Nov 17th, below are the updates from the same session. Any update on your situation, i also have a same situation. key updates, December 15th, 2022: Below are the updates from the start of December until today. When I reached out to help desk, they replied Please follow the timings and instructions on your appointment. Good news! I have seen only 2 week ends after that never seen any slots availability. May 2nd, 2022: Below are the latest updates from last week, until today. I have read that for interview appointments it can be done at the time of biometric appointment by submitting an updated/corrected DS-160 form. 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). No, there is no refund as such. Hi kumar. Print your appointment letter and follow the instructions on it.Step 3. I do see March 2023 but that is too far. I am going to schedule mine and I wanted to get an estimate on the wait time for dropbox appoitments. Is it true that one can login and reschedule only twice ? The scheduling page is showing no appointments available for any of the VACs. But, this changed in mid-2021. If I have already attempted twice , what is the next option please . I had the exact same experience @Sumiran. They updated their system in October 2022, Due to the extreme amount of demand, they have slowed down the approvals of EA requests . If any doubt, reach out to them or consulate directly. Ashish, You can get the stamping done 90 days before from the start date on the petition. they might be call for in-person interview or administrative process (221g). The representative needs to carry a photo id to submit documents. How long can I receive passport back after VAC appointment? Please suggest. Do share your inputs here on what they asked for community benefit. I have been trying to book an appointment since a . Is this normal? 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. I, with my two kids, qualify for the Interview waiver; we have been trying to get a Dropbox appointment for the last 12 weeks without success. venky, You are right, if the applicant meets all the requirements, they are eligible for dropbox. This is not new, all you need to know is to factor in 4 weeks time to be safe when you arrive in India for Dropbox stamping. There is no deadline on when the 48 months rule for an interview waiver will end. You need to click the Drop-Off button at the bottom of the message to proceed with your interview waiver/ dropbox visa application. They also said they cannot guarantee getting a slot. I'm able to see dropbox availability across all sites. 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. Confirmation on H1B Dropbox Eligibility, Option to pick Interview for Emergency. I already attended interview on 13 Dec 22 with depended and got visa stamped on 19 Dec 22 and received passports. For background, you can read How to apply for a US Visa for general guidance on the US Visa stamping process. balaji, Yes, you can. If it is really refused how will I be communicated? H1B/H4 Dropbox Slots: They say that these slots are pretty much full for the next few months. 1) How do we know the real time appointment status for the H1B interviews? See the below screenshot. Applicants scheduling visa appointments in a location different from their place of residence should check post websites for nonresident wait times. To check US Visa Slots available in India from Community in a crowdsourced platform, register at www.VisaJar.com, download their extension, activate, and contribute. Hi Sir I have a question regarding H1B stamping for Dropbox. H1B Visa Tracker (FY 2023) US Visa Stamping Dropbox (Interview Waiver) Tracker; Any input will be greatly appreciated. In the past, this question used to have an H1B visa in the question. They have not given a specific date. Wow ! The estimated wait time to receive a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate and is based on workload and staffing and can vary from week to week. No new developments in terms of US consulates operations status in the last four weeks, they all continue to be operating in a limited fashion. My last H1B visa stamp expired more than 48 months ago. Your H1B visa stamp in your passport was not lost, stolen, or canceled, or has CWOP written on the visa. At the conclusion of the administrative processing period, the consular officer might conclude that an applicant is now qualified for the visa for which he or she applied. No appointments for H1 currently . There are currently no appointments available. As US Consulates across the globe are operating in a very limited fashion globally due to the COVID pandemic, starting from Jan 1st, 2022 until December 31st, 2023, the US Department of State has given Dropbox Stamping option for certain first-time H1B Visa Applicants, if they meet all the below eligibility criteria. They said that they canceled all previous B1/B2 placeholder appointments that users had until now. For permanent address, I intend to give the Indian address on my passport and temporary/current address the US residence. can anyone help, going to agent will help? serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family), before making inquiries about status of administrative processing, applicants should wait at least 180 days from the date of interview or submission of supplemental documents, whichever is later. Received passport & copies of H1B petition and employer offer letter (I submitted earlier) back along with a yellow slip requesting an additional document to be submitted at any of the closest VAC. We will cover all areas like dropbox eligibility requirements, booking appointments, documents checklist, how it works with employer change or H1B Visa Transfer situations, and status changes. See the below screenshot on how it looks. Depending on answer to this, we might or might not qualify for drop-box. I have an approval and since I meet the eligibility for drop box do I still need to go for an interview? Fresh B1/B2 applicants slots to open soon for interviews from Sep 1st, 2022. Hi Archana, I am looking for drop box but I dont see any appointments. Applicants whose placeholder appointments were cancelled may now reenter the scheduling system to book regular appointments. Have been trying since last 1 week. Yes, they have opened slots for first time B1/B2 applicants and started interview from September 1st week of 2022. Hi Kumar, My spouse was on H4 visa starting from 2017 and we did the visa extension in 2019. Currently, they are processing interview waivers and limited in-person slots. Pranay, It is the case for everyone. About Visa Processing Wait Times Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants. The documents can be submitted by a representative on the appointment date and time. So, it is confirmed based on experiences as well. They will do Visa interviews on Saturdays across all consulates and embassy, Temporary Staff from Washington DC from Jan to March 2023 to clear the backlogs, Permanent increase in the number of consular officers assigned to India. Could you please help? As far as regular Spring 2023 slots go, they released a large batch and most of those slots are booked. Read below: September 27th, 2022: Below are the latest updates from mid-September until now. You will not be permitted to enter the facility before the time listed on your appointment letter.Step 4. Ravi, It is not very common to attend interview twice. Below is the summary of key takeaways from their responses. Regarding slots for other visa types like B1/B2, H1B, L1 and others see below updates from April. Manish, you would go for an interview some key updates: 11th... Your interview waiver/ Dropbox visa application for stamping read the latest official news summary at: you can the! 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