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Are you a foreign professional applying for your H-1B visa for the first time? Do you have an H-1B petition that has been approved? Are you unsure about the next step in your visa process? If you’re applying for H-1B visa stamping for the first time, we have compiled a guide to help you with the entire process.
An individual is required to schedule their H-1B visa interview after the approval of their petition. The interview can be conducted at the closest U.S. consulate or embassy in the individual’s country of residence.
Read the blog to understand the H-1B visa stamping process, the list of documents needed, and find answers to the frequently asked questions on the topic.
Typically, a candidate should follow these steps before they apply for the visa stamping:
The applicant needs to submit a colored square photograph with dimensions 600 by 600 pixels (that can go up to 1200 by 1200 pixels). It should be saved in the .jpeg format, and the size should not exceed 240 kilobytes.
The individual needs to submit Form DS-160 before they apply for the visa interview. The form must be submitted online in advance, and the printed confirmation should be carried to the interview. The interview cannot be conducted without the Form DS-160 confirmation page.
Once the visa appointment is scheduled by the visa center at the U.S. consulate, the applicant should book an appointment to get their photograph and biometrics captured. This should be done before the visa interview.
The individual may require the following documents for their interview:
If the visa interview turns out to be a success, the individual has to apply for their H-1B visa stamping process. The individual should ensure they apply for H-1B stamping 90 days before their employment start date.
The H-1B visa stamping process may take anywhere from one to four weeks for processing. It may depend on the U.S. embassy and the country of residence of the applicant. It is advised that the applicant plans the entire process.
An individual cannot apply for H-1B visa stamping while residing in the U.S. They have to return to their residence country for the conduction of the stamping process in a U.S. consulate. It is also possible for the individual to travel to a neighboring country in the U.S. to complete the process in the U.S. embassy. However, it may involve more hassle than getting the process completed in the residence country of the applicant.
If an individual’s H-1B visa has expired, they have to apply for a renewal to get their passport re-stamped. The re-stamping process cannot be conducted in isolation. The applicant may be required to return to their home country for the re-stamping. The U.S. consulate may require some additional documents for the H-1B re-stamping.
The U.S. Embassy may reject an individual’s H-1B stamping for a number of reasons. This may happen for reasons such as the missing documents, the need for additional documents, and so on. In such cases, the individual may reapply for the stamping process, ensuring they follow any additional instructions given by the embassy.
The H-1B visa stamping process is required if the individual plans to travel to the U.S. regarding their employment. Without the stamping, they may not be allowed to leave for the U.S. even if their H-1B visa application process has been completed and approved.
The H-1B visa process can be a detailed process that may require expert guidance. It is usually advised that an individual take help from professional lawyers to ensure a smooth experience. We, at OnBlick, are equipped with the resources that can ensure your application includes minimal errors. Despite all the competition, OnBlick can help you to make your application stand out. Rejections and denials of your H-1B petition will become a thing of the past if you have OnBlick as your compliance partner. To know more, book a 15-minute demo with us today!
