US Consulates and the US Embassy in India give one of the highest numbers of US Visa stamping appointments globally due to the sheer number of applicants from India. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been delays and a shortage of US Visa appointments in India. The US Department of State, and the US Embassy in India continue to give news alerts, and updates on their website, Twitter, Emails, etc. on how they are handling US Visa appointments in India and the current operation status of their services across US consulates and Embassy in India.
On this page, we track all the updates from official and unofficial sources, including users’ feedback and experiences. It is divided into sections with a summary, and timeline for easy review. We continue to update this page, you may bookmark this page.
Summary of all Updates from US Consulates in India as of July 24th, 2023
Below is a short summary of all the latest updates from the US Consulates and Embassy in India that are relevant as of now and up-to-date as of July 24th, 2023. You can check the timeline section below for additional details with links to the official sources
- US TravelDocs Update: (updated)Temporary Disruption to the US Visa Appointment booking site from July 26th to July 28th, 2023. Cannot book appointments, no customer service calls, no fee payments during these days. Services resume on July 29th, 2023. See more details in the timeline section.
- US Embassy said they had processed over 600,000 US Visa applications in India as of June 12th, 2023. Their goal is to process 1 million US visa applications in 2023.
- There is no requirement to be vaccinated, if you are traveling to the US. The vaccination requirement ended on May 11th, 2023. Check US Dept of State Update
- When to contact for Dropbox, 221g Cases: US Embassy, and Consulates say to wait for 21 days for pending Dropbox cases, before you can contact them for any update. For 221g cases, they say to wait for 60 days. If you email them before, you will not get any response from them.
- F1 Visa Stamping Slots for Fall 2023:
- US Embassy has opened a second batch of visa appointment slots for Fall 2023 on June 18th for mid-July and mid-August 2023 appointments. In the first batch, they opened thousands of appointments and they were all filled.
- F1 Visa Appointments for first-time refused applicants for Fall 2023: They said they would open slots for previously refused applicants during the last two weeks of August 2023 (mid-August 2023).
Did you know you can track passport status online? Check US Visa Stamping – Passport Tracking Statuses meaning
- New Online System for US Visa Services in India: USTravelDocs has mentioned that they will have a new online system for US Visa Services from July 29th, 2023.
- They suggest making payment before July 24th, 2023, and having the profile up to date.
- The online system will not be available from July 26th to July 28th for the system change.
- First Timer B1/B2 Appointment Slots: US Consulates have started interviewing first-time B1/B2 applicants starting in September 2022. They plan to process over 1 million appointments for B1/B2 applicants in the 2023 calendar year. You can check some of those users shared B1/B2 Visa Stamping Experiences for 2023
- US Visa Dropbox Criteria 48 months from Expiry Status Extended: They changed the dropbox eligibility criteria to 48 months from expiry, instead of 12 months. On December 23rd, 2021, they extended this indefinitely. Again, in December 2022, they confirmed the availability of the 48-month dropbox rule for 2023 and beyond as well. There is no deadline on when the 48 months rule for an interview waiver will end. See the timeline section below for official links, screenshots of news.
- If you are planning for H1B Dropbox stamping, check H1B Visa Dropbox Process – Step by Step Guide with Screenshots.
- You can check US Visa Dropbox Tracker to know the current processing times as shared by users.
- Agents Fraud Booking Slots: In the past, in response to some users’ concern that some agents are charging 6k to 8k INR for visa slots, US Consulate Mumbai is asking to report fraud to MumbaiF@state.gov with all relevant details. They say that information will be kept confidential. So, if you see someone doing fraud, report it. Also, recently in October 2022, they clarified telling that using agents is not illegal as it is used for convenience, but they said user would not need one for booking slots. They will release more slots in bulk to make it level playing field.
- Dropbox Stamping Slots – H1B, H4, L1, B1/B2, Others: US consulates all across India are giving Interview Waiver/ Dropbox slots for H4, H1B, and other visa renewals. They are opening Dropbox slots even for 2023. All of these slots are not placeholder slots.
- MRV Fee Payment Validity Status: The US Visa Appointment application Fee (also called MRV Fee) for payments that will be made from October 1st, 2022 will be valid for 365 days. All the applicants must schedule an appointment using that fee receipt within 365 days from the date they actually made the payment. Read more at MRV Fee Validity
- Emergency Appointments(EA) Status, Guidance: If you cannot find a Visa slot, you can apply for a US Visa Emergency Appointment as needed. You need to meet the criteria if you want to request one. Read Guide to Apply for Emergency Appointment in India.
- There is an option also now in the online system that allows dropbox applicants to choose for an in-person appointment if there is an emergency. They updated their system in October 2022
- Due to the extreme amount of demand, they have slowed down the approvals of EA requests . You can check US Visa EA Tracker
- In-Person Interview Waiver for Certain Visa Holders: in December 2022, US Dept of State announced that they would give interview waiver for certain work visa holders and others as in below :
- 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)
- On Jan 1st, 2022, CGI Federal/UStravelDocs website got updated with new questions that implements the new interview waiver rule. Check timeline below for more info.
- Check complete details at article : US Visa Interview Waiver for Some visa types, Dropbox Extended
If you have not done emergency appointment requests in past, read Step by Step Guide to Apply for US Visa Emergency Appointment in India
- Check US Visa India Experiences Telegram Group for those and Community Group for US Visa Appointments India – Discussions.
- Immigrant Visa Stamping: US Embassy in India have resumed processing of Immigrant Visas and there are no restrictions in place. US Consulate in Mumbai is reaching out to the previous pending cases and they will be processed in chronological order. They say that by September 2023, the backlog should be cleared and they would be back to the pre-pandemic levels.
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. This is to prevent agents and avoid lockouts in CGI Federal. It is free and community-driven!
Timeline, Official Links to Updates from US Consulates in India as of July 24th, 2023
Below is the timeline of updates from the US Consulates and Embassy that are tracked regularly. You can check the official updates reference links in the below timelines. They are usually tweets or website updates from the US Consulate/ US Embassy.
July 24th, 2023: Below are the latest updates since last update on July 11th.
Visa Fridays Q&A : US embassy had visa fridays Q & A session on Jul 20th, below is the summary of the updates from the session.
- F1 Visa Appointments, Slots – First time, refused: They said that they would release the appointments for applicants attending between August 21st to 31st will be released soon. This will also include the appointments for first-time rejected/ refused F1 visa applicants. They suggest checking once or twice a day to avoid locking out yourself. They say that it is enough to know if slots are released.
- B1/B2 Appointments: They said they are focusing more on the F1 visa appointments and interviews at the moment and will release more slots for B1/B2 starting from September 2023. Also, they say that they keep releasing B1/B2 slots on a rolling basis, so they suggest to keep checking now and then to get slots.
- Name change – Apply for new Visa: If your name changed due to marriage and got new passport, they said that you need to get a new US Visa to match your new passport name.
- No show, Natural Calamity: If you have missed an appointment due to natural calamity due to floods, etc. they suggest sending the details to the embassy email as the system will not allow normal expedite requests.
- Previous 214b denial: They said that you can get a visa after 214b denial, if the interviewing officer believes that you have overcome the concerns of the previous officer.
- Agents asking 10k, 50k for slots: They said, you do not need an agent to book an appointment or pay them to book the same. They say that the solts are released in bulk and big lots. They say all the normal users and agents would have same chance to book.
USTravelDocs Changes outage Dates:
- USTravelDocs again changed their outage dates to July 26th to July 28th. The new system would be available from July 29th, 2023.
- You cannot really do anything during the dates Jul 26-28. If you need to pay fee do it before Jul 25th, 2023.
- The same message was updated on US Embassy India website as well. Below is the screenshot of the updated notice from them on USTravelDocs and US Embassy India websites. Also, see the link from Facebook page of US Embassy linked below
July 11th, 2023: Below are the latest updates since July 5th, 2023.
Update on Jul 11th, 2023: USTravelDocs India updated today saying they are moving the outage dates. The updated outage dates are between July 18th and July 21st. The system will be available on July 22nd, 2023. See the below screenshot from their website.
- US Embassy updated their official website confirming the changes to the US Visa Appointment booking website that are upcoming on Jul 18th. (
12th. ) - US Visa Appointment booking website at ustraveldocs.com will not be available from July 18th to July 21st (
Jul12th to Jul 14th).You cannot do any of the below during this time- You cannot book appointments.
- You cannot pay fee. Payment services will be unavailable from July 17th, 2023.
- You cannot call customer service
- The services will resume on July 22nd (
Jul 15th, 2023.) - The new support email from July 22nd (
Jul 15th, 2023.) is support-india@usvisascheduling.com - If you have anything that is pending in your profile, complete it as soon as possible.
- If you have paid the fee, but have not associated the profile with your fee receipt, get it done before the outage.
- See the below screenshot of the news update from US Embassy India website and USTravelDocs India website
US Embassy had Visa Fridays on July 6th. Below are the updates from the same.
F1 Visa Slots in India, Refused applicants:
- US Embassy said they released thousands of F1 Visa Appointments and they were available as of Friday to book.
- They plan to open appointments for previously refused students soon. They did not mention any specific date though.
B1/B2 Appointments Slots India: They say that they are releasing appointments as per their capacity and suggest checking the appointment booking website regularly to book B1/B2 Slots.
H1B Visa Renewal within USA : They said they do not have start date for the pilot yet. They suggest checking the website for official announcements. You can check US Visa Stamping within USA for more info
Check Visa Navigator : They suggest checking US Visa Navigator for any questions: https://tinyurl.com/NewDelhiVisasNav
Check more details of Visa Fridays Q &A Thread
July 5th, 2023: Below are the latest updates since last week.
- It has been a quiet week since the last update due to the July 4th long weekend holiday in the US and across all US Consulates.
- There is no new update from the US Embassy in India or consulates. Everything continues to be like in before weeks.
- There is no news from the community on the release of bulk slots over last weekend.
- You can check the below update from June to get a full idea on the current status of the US Consulates, Embassy in India.
Pending Interview Waiver/ Dropbox Cases, 221g Administrative Processing Cases
- US Embassy in Delhi and Consulates have quietly updated their Visa Navigator Questions, saying that, if you submitted your documents for Dropbox/ Interview waiver stamping, then you need to give them 21 days (3 weeks) before contacting their office for an update.
- The 21 days should be counted from the day you submitted your documents.
- They will not respond to your questions if you contact them before 21 days.
- For 221(g) Administrative Processing, they suggest waiting 60 days before reaching out to the US Embassy or Consulate. If you reach out early, you will not get a response from them.
- See the below screenshot from their Visa Navigator pages
June 26th, 2023: Below are the most recent updates from the last week until today.
US Visa Stamping within USA: The White House made an official announcement that they will run pilot for H1B Renewals within the US later part of this year and much more next year. Check out Official News summary of US Visa Stamping within USA News
US Embassy had Visa Fridays Q&A last Friday(June 22nd, 2023), below are the updates from the same.
- F1 Visa Stamping for Fall 2023, Refused Applicants, Stamping :
- F1 Visa Slots for previously rejected applicants would open during the mid-August timeframe. Their focus is first-time applicants and first-time rejected applicants have to wait until mid-August.
- F1 first-time stamping(fresher) slots are now available across all the consulates in India. They suggest checking the USTravelDocs Portal as they continue to open slots.
- Previously refused Tourist Visa Impact on F1 Stamping: If the applicant has previously refused tourist visa to the US, it would not have any impact on the F1 Visa stamping.
- No specific update on B1/B2 or H1B Visas during the update by them.
- Check the Visa Fridays Q&A
June 19th, 2023: Below are the latest updates from last week until now and wait times for US Visa appointments in India.
F1 Visa Appointments/ Slots for Fall 2023 :
- US Embassy in India updated on June 18th, 2023 that they have opened F1 Visa interview appointments for Fall 2023 applicants for mid-July to mid-August 2023 across all the consulates in India. Below is the link for the lastest official update.
- They suggest checking USTravelDocs.com to book the visa stamping appointment for Fall 2023.
- They plan to open slots for F1 visa applicants who were refused first time in the last two weeks of August 2023.
- US Consulates continue to process B1/B2, H1B, H4, L1, L2 and other visa appointments as usual. The demand now is for the student season and their focus is on the same visa types.
Below are the current US Visa Appointments Wait times in India Across all the US Consulates and Embassy. You can also check the trend of US Visa Appointment wait times in India acros all consulates.
- US Embassy processed over 600,000 US Visa applications from Indians this year as of June 12th, 2023. They plan to process over a million by the end of 2023. Check this link and below screenshot.
New Online System for US Visa Services in India:
- USTraveldocs System is getting an upgrade and they are moving to a new system from July 1th, 2023
- They suggest having everything up to date by July 10th, 2023 as system would not be available from July 11th, to July 14th, 2023.
- Below is the official update from their website.
Updates from mid-February 2023 until mid-June 2023
Unfortunately, in the last 4 months, due to unforeseen circumstances, we did not update the status of US Visa appointments in India. Apologies about that. We are back and will continue to update this page with latest updates.
February 13th, 2023: Below are the updates from February 7th, 2023 until now.
- US Consulates continue to be operating in full swing to clear the wait times with the recent measures announced in January 2023. You can check previous weeks updates below for more on the same.
- CGI Federal URL Changed: Over the weekend, the CGI Federal URL changed from domain that ends with for with force.com to salesforce-sites.com
- New URL : https://atlas.my.salesforce-sites.com/
- Old URL: https://cgifederal.secure.force.com/
US Embassy in India had Visa Fridays Q & A last Friday on Feb 9th, 2023. Below is summary of the key answers from them
- F1 Visa Appointment Slots – Summer 2023:
- They said that they are ‘preparing for a small student season in April’, who are planning for Summer intake.
- They said the slots would open up in batches in weeks leading to each student season. They suggest checking the website for the availability of the slots.
- No mention of any date when they will open slots.
- There will not be any slots open for March 2023. If your program starts in March or April, they suggest talking to the school and deferring the admission.
- Regarding slots for first-time refused F1 applicants, they said it will vary by availability and have not confirmed and suggested checking the website.
- Below is screenshot of the info from their FAQs
- B1/B2 Appointment Slots: They say that they continue to open B1/B2 slots periodically as availability permits on their end and suggest checking the website continuously.
- H1B Slots for December 2023: They did not mention any specifics other than saying, it depends on many factors. They suggest booking an appointment before leaving the US for stamping as it is unsure.
- You can check the full Visa Fridays FAQs or click below
February 7th, 2023: Below are the updates from starting of February 2023.
- US Consulates and Embassy in India have picked up the pace of processing of US Visa applications based on the measures they indicated in January.
- In January 2023, US Consulates and Embassy processed over 1 lakh(100,000) visa applicants. This is one of the highest monthly totals ever since July 2019 as per them.
- B1/B2 Stamping outside India – Bangkok: US Embassy has said that, if you have plans to travel to Thailand, you can get B1/B2 stamping done in Bangkok, Thailand. All you need to id book an appointment for B1/B2 in Thailand. They say that the Bangkok US consulate has capacity to handle India applicants seeking B1/B2 visa. Check below the facebook post.
- Tip: If you are looking for a US Visa Slot, register at VisaJar.com to see community-contributed data and avoid lockouts. It is built to keep out agents and is fully community driven. It is free and anonymous.
This January, the U.S. Mission to India processed over 1 Lakh visa applications. That’s more than in any month since July 2019 and one of our highest monthly totals ever! And we aren’t done yet. Our capacity will continue to increase as our team grows this spring. pic.twitter.com/nkcmhopWHZ
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) February 4, 2023
January 31st, 2023: Below are the updates from the beginning of 2023 until end of January
Visa Fridays Q &A was held on January 26th, below are the key updates
- F1 Students – Spring 2023, Summer 2023: They said, interview slots are all done for Spring 2023 and. if you have not got a slot, defer admission. If you are looking for Summer 2023, they will release slots before the summer visa season, so stay tuned. Similar to before, even for summer intake, they will release slots for first-time applicants and then only for those refused applicants.
- B1/B2 Visa Slots: They confirmed that they released over 200K visa slots and they will release more as they have capacity.
- No specific questions or updates were there for H1B, H4 or L Visas
- You can read full Visa Fridays FAQ Comments on Facebook.com
On January 22nd, US Embassy announced some big initiatives to reduce the visa appointment wait times in India. Below are the key steps from the announcement
- They are increasing permanent staff assigned to Consulates and Embassy in India
- They will be processing interview waiver cases remotely to clear up backlog
- They will do interviews on Saturdays across all consulates and Embassy to reduce the wait times
- They have also extended the hours in Mumbai during weekdays to address more cases.
- They are also getting more visa officers from Washington DC to temporarily from January to March 2023 to address the backlog of cases.
- Recently they issued more than 250,000 B1/B2 appointments
- Below is the screenshot of the press release. You can read the full press release on US Embassy India Website
US Embassy had ‘Visa Fridays Q&A‘ session on Jan 13th, 2022. Below is the summary of the key updates from them
- F1 Students Slots – Spring 2023: US Embassy said that they have no more slots available for F1 students who plan to travel to the US for Spring 2023. They said that the visa appointment slots for first-time applicants, as well as previously refused students are completely full for January and they will not release more slots. They suggest talking to the school and deferring the admission.
- Summer 2023 Slots: They say that slots for F1 applicants for summer may open periodically and suggest to keep checking the website.
- B1/B2 Visa Slots: They said that they recently released more than 200,000 visa appointments slots for B1/B2 visas and they plan to release more as their load permits. They suggest keeping checking the USTravelDocs website for appointments
- Reschedule appointment – How many times: They confirmed that you can reschedule your appointment 3 times. You will need to pay for new MRV fee if you want to reschedule after 3rd time. see below screenshot for the same.
- H/L visa appointments : There is no new update related to availablity of the slots for H1B/ L visa applicants from the US Embassy.
December 26th, 2022: Below are updates until today since last week.
- No new changes in the US Consulates situation in India. Check the previous week’s update.
- On December 23rd, 2022, the US Dept of State extended the Interview Waiver Options until Dec 31st, 2023. Read the latest official news summary at: US Dept of State extends interview waiver for certain nonimmigrant visa holders
December 19th, 2022: US Embassy had Visa Fridays Question and Answer session on December 15th, below are the. key updates
- F1 Visa Slots for Spring 2023(Refused, First time): US Embassy said that they have opened slots for first-time refused applicants and also regular first-time applicants in December, and they are pretty much full for December, and January. They say that their capacity is full for F1 visa appointments. They suggest delaying your start date or deferring admission if you cannot get a slot.
- B1/B2 Visa Slots: They did not offer any exact dates on when they plan to open slots for B1/B2, but said to keep checking as they open large batches when time permits.
- Reschedule Appointment: They confirmed that you can reschedule your appointment four times.
- Missed Appointments: They said that if you miss your appointment, you can reschedule, but you would not be able to book any appointment during the next 90 days window.
- Check full Q & A on Facebook page of US Embassy
December 15th, 2022: Below are the updates from the start of December until today
No changes in the US Consulates’ status in terms of their operations; everything is still operating at limited capacity.
US Embassy had Visa Fridays Q&A on December 2nd, below are the updates from the same session.
- H1B, H4, L1/L2 Slots Visa Appointments: US Embassy continues to say the previous update stating that the appointments are full for the next several months, and they plan to open slots as conditions allow. They said that they would soon open H/L visa appointment slots and suggested keeping checking. They did not specify any date or number of slots they plan to open.
- B1/B2 Visa Appointments: Similar to before, they say that you should continue to check their website regularly for slots. They say that they release large batches of slots, and it usually takes a day or two to fill, so regular checking will help book a slot. They did not give any details on how many they plan to open or when.
- F1 Visa Applicants – Refused Slots for Spring 2023: US Embassy said there will be a short window in January 2023, where they will interview F1 applicants with a previous refusal. The slots for this window will be opened soon, they did not mention any date.
- You can check full updates at the below Facebook Post
November 30th, 2022: US Embassy had Visa Fridays Q&A on Nov 17th, below are the updates from the same session.
- US Consulates continue to be operating in a limited fashion, with no changes in the overall situation.
- US Embassy updated on Nov 28th saying that they have opened quite a few B1/B2 dropbox slots across Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. Check below tweet from them.
Looking for a B1/B2 interview waiver (dropbox) visa appointment? Good news! We’ve opened a number of B1/B2 interview waiver appointments for the coming month in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. Book now in time for holiday travel.
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) November 28, 2022
- F1 Students Appointments for Spring 2023, Refusals: They said the visa appointment slots for fresh F1 students applying (without refusals) will be opened in the last week of November. They will also open lots for first-time refused applicants towards the end of the F1 Spring 2023 season. No specific date was mentioned by them, they suggest to keep checking the online system. Also, they suggest re-applying for F1 after refusal if there are changes in the info that you want to present to the consular officer or if the circumstances have significantly changed.
- H and L Visa appointments(H1B, L1, H4, L2): They said slots are pretty much full for the next few months and they said that they have been opening slots for H and L categories as space allows. They say slots are still available for late 2023 and suggest booking.
- B1/B2 Visa Slots: They said that they opened a large batch of slots in Spring 2022 for B1/B2, but they got filled quickly and continue to open slots as conditions allow them. They say, they will open new slots as capacity allows. They suggest checking online.
- IR1/CR1 Visas Processing: No change from the previous week, they say that they will follow a proper sequence and process applications in chronological order.
- Check below for the actual Q&A
November 8th, 2022: US Embassy had Visa Fridays Q&A last week, below are the key updates from the same, including regular updates.
- H1B, H4, L1, L2 Visa Slots: They said that due to high demand H and L visa appointments have long wait times and they fill quickly when released. The appointments are full for the coming months for H and L visa types. But, they will open more H and L slots as conditions allow. They may release slots on short notice as well, so they suggest checking the website regularly for availability.
- F1 Spring 2023 Slots, Refused: Most of the discussion and questions were around refused slots for first-time refused applicants.
- For first-time refused F1 applicants, they said that they will open visa appointment slots toward the end of the season. No specific date or week was stated by them.
- As far as regular Spring 2023 slots go, they released a large batch and most of those slots are booked. The next big batch of slots will come later part of November. This is also in their FAQs
- Fewer Slots in Delhi: They said that slots released are based on staff availability. Also, that’s the reason for long wait times at some consulate locations than others.
- B1/B2 Visa Appointments, Renewals, Reschedules: They said that the demand for first-time B1/B2 was high and the current wait time is long. They are trying to add resources so that they can offer more appointments. No timelines were given for this.
- 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.
- They suggest keeping checking the website for any rescheduling of the appointment. They say some people cancel appointments and you may get lucky in rescheduling.
- 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.
- IR1/CR1 Visas Processing: They clarified again regarding the confusion on some later submitted CR1 and IR1 applicants getting processed than the ones that were submitted before. They again confirmed that, except few exceptions, who got expedited approvals, they are processing in order as they were submitted. They say to be patient and it will be processed in the right sequence.
- Check below for full details and actual Q&A responses.
November 2nd, 2022: Below are the key updates from last week until now.
- No changes in the US Consulates’ situation or the way they are operating in the last week or so. Everything is as in the previous week. Check the previous week updates.
- F1 Visa Slots for Spring 2023: The first batch of F1 slots for Spring 2023 were open around October 30th and many F1 applicants were able to book. There seem to be lesser slots for Delhi based on feedback from users due to more demand.
- US Visa Appointment Wait Times for Dropbox: The US Department of State website now shows the wait times for interview waiver/ dropbox as well by the consulate location. You can see the below screenshot on how it looks for New Delhi. You can enter any city and see the latest wait times at US Dept of State Website
We have removed all the timeline of updates before November 2022 to keep the thread clean and up to date.
You can watch YouTube Video on where & how to check for US Consulates openings, wait times.
History of US Travel Ban for India, NIE (Reference only – Not Applicable Now)
The below history information is not applicable now ( after Nov 8, 2021). But, it is just general information for your background.
- General Travel Ban Background : On April 30th, President Biden signed a Proclamation banning entry of most of the non-immigrant visa holder from India who have been physically in India for 15 days prior to their US Travel. As part of this, they canceled all appointments ( Biometrics, Visa Interview) at US Consulates and US Embassy in India until further notice. Read below articles on the Travel Ban Exceptions, NIE Details
- Apply NIE while in US : You cannot apply for NIE when you are physically present in the US. You need to be in India and then only apply for NIE. Check US Consulate Chennai Guidance – Can you apply for NIE, while in US for full details.
- NIE Validity 12 months : US Dept of State issued guidance indicating that NIE would be valid for 12 months from the date it was issued and it is valid for multiple entries as well. This is effective from July 6, 2021 and it will apply retroactively to previously issued NIE with old 30 days rule. Check more at Travel to US on NIE – 12 months Rule
- 221g Given for Applicants without NIE
- US Consulates are giving 221(g) Administrative Processing slip for pending visa processing applications or if someone does not fall under NIE. It says that the proclamation is in effect, so they cannot process and need more information. See below timeline for a sample form that is given for 221g.
FAQs – US Visa Stamping and Consulates Updates in India
As of July 2023, you can apply for H1B visa stamping for both in-person and interview waiver. There are no restrictions as such.
Currently, they are processing interview waivers and limited in-person slots. They plan to be at full capacity before September 2023. This is based on their update in the past, we do not know if this still holds true. They plan to process about 1 million us visa appointment in 2023.
Yes, they are the most available slots. There are new provisions that make more people leverage the interview waiver/dropbox option.
No, there is no refund as such. In general, you have one year from the day you paid Visa fee to use the same. They updated in late September 2022 saying that, previous rules of 365 days to book apply now and everyone should book an appointment within 365 days from the issuance of the MRV receipt.
You do not need a new US Visa if you are already in the US. As long as you have your I-797 approval valid and I-94 valid, you are fine. All you need to do is maintain Status. Read US Visa vs. Status Difference
Yes, they have opened slots for first time B1/B2 applicants and started interview from September 1st week of 2022 and continue to be available as of July 2023.
Official Sources, Links
- US Consulate India – News Alerts COVID-19
- USTravelDocs India Home
- Travel.State.Gov – COVD-19 Updates Page
If you are from other country, you should check your local US Consulate Website for updated information.
Did you go for Visa appointment or Dropbox ? What was your experience ?
Hello Team,
Thank you for our information.
I am eligible for Drop box facility but my family members did not have any H4 Visa earlier. So Can i apply for dropbox facilty for my family memebers also for dependant visa as I am eligible for Drop box facility.
First available Appointment is showing in the November 5 for Hyderabad.
But right side window of same screen it is showing that “There are currently no appointments available.” I paid MRV fees and captured the receipts also.
So anybody able to book the slots for the location Hyderabad VAC now?
Why it is showing First available Appointment is showing in the November 5 today?
Please clarify.
I am facing same problem, booking appointment in Mumbai.
I am facing the same issue for dropbox in Chennai VAC. It shows first available appointment is November 3rd. Still I am unable to book any appointments. It shows “There are currently no appointments available.” Did you have any luck in booking appointment?
Hi,
Is hyderabad consulate open for H1B visa appointments or Dropbox after May 15th?
(As there is lock down till 21)
Thanks!
They have cancelled my drop box appointment scheduled for June 23rd.
Hi,
Is hyderabad consulate open for H1B visa appointments or Dropbox after May 15th?
(As there is lock down till 21)
Thanks!
Thank you for sharing useful information
maximum of how many months would take for US embassy to open visa stampling process in India for H1B in 2021.
Can I expect by July or August
Hi All,
Do we need to quarantine before appearing for the Dropbox appointment after you reach India. I’m planning to travel to India ( New Delhi ) and was planning to schedule the appointment the very next day. Is that allowed ?
If quarantine is mandatory, do we need to submit proof of quarantine, travel dates, test results, etc.,
Just to add, I’ll be travelling from USA.
Thanks
Hi Were you able to figure this out?
THanks
Hi,
I’m trying to book visa appointment at a US consulate in India where I see an appointment available but when I went inside, it shows “no OFC appointment avaialable”.. This is hte case for past 1 month now. Any idea how to fix it ?
I tried chrome, mozilla, safari, incognitive windows but no luck. I contact customer support and they weren’t of much help as well.
even i am facing same issue. Kindly some one help me how to proceed with stamping.
That’s because no slots in Chennai open at that time, pls keep checking, slots keeps open intermittently
Hello,
With the opening up of slots for regular H1B visas, if issued a 221g, will they process it?
Thanks
When is consulate and Embassy resume normal operation in India.
Hi Kumar,
Since New Delhi is processing all categories are we allowed to book an appointment from south zone ? coz the next available appointment in Chennai consulate is in Nov.
Yes, we are not open until Nov 2021
My Son is 15 years old and his H4 Visa is going to expire in July 2021 . We plan to go India and avail DropBox. Will my son is eligible for Dropbox?
Yes, eligible.
I booked a dropbox appointment based on 48 Months rule. But in the appointment confirmation it shows as last 24 months.. Will this cause any issue while submitting the documents? I wont be eligible if it is24 months
H and L applicants ( -H1, -H4, -L1 Individual, -L2 Individual, -L2 Blanket)
Yes No
Prior visa in the same class which is still valid or expired within last 24
months. (applicable for H1,H4,L1Individual,L2)
hi Kumar,
Can you please respond my question below.
My Son is under age 15 and his H4 visa is going to expire in July 2021. it is eligible for drop box?
Has anyone been able to schedule an appointment?
Am trying for a slot for by H1 stamping (from F1 Change of status) but keep getting errors and then account is frozen for 72 hours.
I’m currently in the US and want to get an appointment by June 10th.
Any guidance please?
Hi There,
I have received my H1B approval copy and it shows the CONSULATE: MUMBAI. I just wanted to check that, Can I go for Visa stamping in another embassy in India? Or Should I go for Visa stamping in the MUMBAI embassy only?
I do not have any travel history for the US and My employer has not provided me any COC letter. Kindly do the needful.
Thank You!
Sincerely,
Parin
Hi,
I have scheduled my VISA interview as I was not eligible for drop box before due to 24month eligibility. Now, with the latest update on drop box to 48 months I am eligible for drobox.
Can you let me know how to proceed with my appointment? do I need to cancel and book new appointment for drobox?
Hello ,
I have a query. My H1B petition is approved and I need to go for H1B stamping. But I came to know that there is no open position at my client now. So being remain with same employer can I go for amendment to work for new client . Basically , I want to know if it is possible to go for H1B amendment before Visa stamping. Point to note here my employer will remain same , only client will change.
Yes you can do amendment before stamping.
Hi,
Does anyone know if the US Embassy in New Delhi has resumed processing of 221 g cases since February 1st? They said they are processing work visas, but does that include cases stuck in 221 g? Thanks.
My parents B1/B2 VISA appointments were cancelled last year March. When i login to the CGI portal, it gives me the option to schedule the appointment but no available slots.
My question is, When the regular VISA processing starts, can I use the same DS160 and book the appointment? The point to note is that the DS160 tentative travel date was given as last Summer. Please suggest.
Hi Kumar,
I was laid off on April 27th 2020 (was working on H1B status with I-797A, no stamp on passport). I was in the US on June24th, 2020 and had applied for B2 COS with an effective date of June 25th, 2020. I later left the US on June 29th, 2020. Does this make me eligible for the condition of physical presence in the US for visa interview?
Note: I have an approved petition from a another employer?
Thank you for running this forum and all your help!
Dear All,
For those who are planning for Dropbox(24 months eligibility) before March 2021. The normal Dropbox appointment slots are made available from 1st Feb and throughout the March normal Dropbox slots are available on each working day.
Appointments are filling fast so do take your decision quickly.
Happy Dropbox!
Hi,
Thanks for the article. If I already have a valid H1 stamp, and I travel to India and get married, will the US Consulate (Delhi) consider my future spouse’s H4 application under the ‘exemption?’ Or are there still any restrictions?
SK,
Yes, she would be exempt.
Hi, Can I apply now for B2 Visa in Chennai Consulate? Can anyone please comment? The “USTravelDocs” website says the Consular appointments for Chennai location is currently closed. We badly want to bring our MIL here since we have a newborn. Any advise/suggestions would really be appreciated. Thanks!
Hi RedBus members. Limited processing for b1/b2 was supposed to be start from Feb 1 in Delhi. Anyone able to secure B1/B2 visa appointment? Because I still see the same message as No appointments are available.
Thanks.
Hi I want to know my visa application which applied October 2019, I want to know about it processing
Hi RedBus Members,
I need guidance on my next visa appointment which is on February 8th 2021. I got my initial H1B in 2018 and valid until December 2019. I went for visa stamping in Chennai and received the Visa on Feb 27th. Fast forward, I got my H1B visa renewed in 2020 and valid until 2022 December while in US itself. After Covid started, I had to move to Canada for PR landing and got struck there. My sponsor company has setup a branch in Canada and has transferred me to there from US employment. My employer says that I have been transferred to Canada office and if I need to get the stamping done again I need to get the new offer letter and go for visa stamping again which they are willing to provide.
Now based on current scenario, I moved out of USA in May 2020 much before the H1B ban was implemented and also I did not have a valid visa by then as it expired. I have scheduled an appointment for dropbox based on 24 month rule. However, i am not sure whether the travel ban applies to me as well for dropbox option as many consulates are opening slots for appointments. My appointment is in New Delhi Consulate. Please let me know whether should I go with this appointment or shouldn’t I go. If I should not go, what are the reasons and implications if I go for stamping. Really need advise/personal experience on this.
Appreciate everyone’s help in this community.
Hi,
Can someone help me out ?
I do not qualify for the exempt list under the presidential order for the H1B travel ban currently in effect.
I have already gone ahead with my OFC appointment for fingerprinting and have my interview scheduled for 01/28.
Do I have an option of postponing of holding off on my interview appointment for a later date? Or am I not left with any opinion but to go for the interview and get a 221(f). After which I will have to apply again at a time when the travel ban is lifted ?
Still hoping Biden signs an executive order in the next 3 days to overturn the H1B travel ban *fingers crossed*
H1B applicant,
If you know for sure, you are not exempt, then you should avoid the stamping. You can talk to your attorney and then take the call. But, consular office has discretion to reject your visa stamping on 212(f) reasons…Better safe than sorry. Your discretion, do update how it goes.
Hi Kumar,
Thank you for your response.
It seems like I had an option to reschedule my interview through the visa appointment scheduling website. As of now I have rescheduled my appointment to an available date in Feb 2021.
This doesn’t completely solve the issue as the travel ban is still in effect (At the time of this response).
I guess I am hoping that the travel ban might be lifted until end of Feb which is when my interview is scheduled.
If it doesn’t, then my plan is I can reschedule it once more to a date further in the future based on availability.
Hi,
You won’t believe me but i’m exactly on same boat. I just want to know that when we reschedule appointment after OFC is done, do we have to schedule OFC and Interview again or only interview?
Also may i know how many hours before we should be doing this activity so that we dont run out of chance.
Thanks,
Santosh
H1B applicant,
Yes, the travel ban is the issue for many…let’s see what comes out from Biden Administration.
Hi
What is the exempt list under the presidential order for the H1B travel ban currently in effect?
I have H1B visa approved . Can I go to India to get m VISA stamped for the first time
redBusUser,
Read H1B Exemptions list Travel Ban
Hello Kumar,
I hope you are well. I had a question and hope you can help. My H1b visa was approved in lottery last year, and I did get an appointment for Jan 28 in Mumbai for regular visa. My employer is not part of the companies that is exempt from the ban. Do you think they will grant the visa in Jan or should I cancel my appointment?
My h1b also was picked in the lottery last year and was approved. I got visa stamping appointment on 9th Jan in Mumbai. My employer also does not fall under the exemption. I received a 221(f) and was told that I’m eligible for h1b but had to come back after the visa travel ban was lifted. I suggest you to wait for the new president to come and see what he does. There is news that he will be acting on immigration in the first 10 days itself. Hopefully, we can expect that the ban is lifted.
Hi Kumar,
First of all a huge thank you for maintaining this page with the latest and up to date information. It is helping a lot of folks. Much appreciated!
My dependents (both on H4 visa) travelled to India 4months back. Their visas expired in September 2020 and now we are waiting to book their dropbox appointments in Hyderabad consulate. I have been trying for the past 15 days to book slots for their dropbox appointments but every time I login to the website, in the left hand side under the side bar I see different dates (Sometimes Nov 1st 2021 and sometimes Jan 28th 2021). But on the right hand side it says “There are currently no appointments available”. I have tried logging in at various times of the day to see if there is any availability but no luck. From your updates, I read that dropbox appointments are available (in a limited quantity, though). In this regard, do you have any idea / guestimate at what time of the day, do they open up the slots for booking dropbox appointments?
Sandeep,
There are some telegram groups like https://t.me/us_visa_stamping_india where users keep checking and sharing updates. There is no shortcut, you need to keep checking and book when available. The dates you see like Nov are just for planning purpose to book as EA.
I see the following update in US Consulate Mumbai twitter account.
US Consulate Mumbai
@USAndMumbai
The U.S. Embassy New Delhi and Consulates General in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai are now accommodating a very limited number of employment-based visa appointments. Appointments can be made through our website http://ustraveldocs.com/in.
Looks like they opened limited appointments and they are valid (may not be cancelled unlike others)
Yes, I noticed this tweet as well. I was able to reserve an appointment OFC Jan 31 and interview Feb3 but I am not not sure if it is for regular stamping or emergency.
I saw comments from few which stated that after reserving appointments for dates in Jan they had to a page to provide emergency letter but I didnt get any such option.
Teja,
There are few, who were able to get regular stamping as well. It was shared in our telegram group. Check US Visa Stamping Telegram Group
Hello Kumar,
I had booked appointment in March which was cancelled few days. Now again after recent update on twitter on new slots, i was able to book appointment for Feb 2nd.
Now i am afraid if visa office may refuse visa stating President proclamation as i may not eligible for exemption. Need your valuable recommendation please.
Hoping for your reply
Deepak,
You need to be exempt as of now. This may change, once Biden takes office. We need to wait and see.
Hi Kumar,
I have a general question on visa interview. At the time of interview, if my VISA end date on my i797 expires in another 6 months, will that be a problem/reason for rejection ? Will the short duration of 6 months effect my chances ?
raju,
No, nothing like that. They will give you visa only for the validity on your I-797
Thanks for your reply!
Hi Kumar, I hope you can help.
I’m currently working full time in the US on F1 OPT. This expires in July. 2021.
My H1B was approved in September 2020.
The attorneys have told me to travel to India and get a stamping of change is status before July 2021.
If the consulates don’t open up for interviews what is the way forward?
The company attorneys are not very helpful or prompt in answering questions.
I was hoping I’ll find some answers and options here.
Thank you.
G,
You may consider going to Canda or other places, where they allow COS stamping. You still have time, do not panic. Hopefully things change with vaccine and new administration.
Hi, i could find a slot and get a visa interview appointment for H1B scheduled in January 22nd in Mumbai. But i am not sure if it would be cancelled or a genuine regular appointment.
i am not sure how to validate it. Is anyone else able to schedule any non emergency appointments for H1B in january ?
raj,
No one knows. So far, they have been cancelling regular appointments…so be prepared.
Did you schedule this recently?
As per latest news Trump has extended VISA ban until March 31st, do you guys have any information on this? When I called consulate contact number, agents don’t have any updates.
Indra,
Yes, it is extened until March 31st. There is no change in the criteria before or exceptions. You can check other articels that are linked in the above.
Hi Admin/Users,
I have booked my H1B visa interview for March 2021 along with my wife. Though I’m eligible for drop box , I opted for in-person interview as my wife is applying for the first time.
My Question is, If my interview gets cancelled will I be able to book a drop box interview my visa renewal only? But I have already paid the fee for my wife as well in the same application.
I have to get my visa stamped within 45 days of my travel pan to India (march 1 – april 10). As my employer is not allowing me to stay out of country status more than 45 days. Would like to know what are the possibilities to get my visa stamped within this time frame???
Appreciate your thoughts on this..
How were you able to schedule interview, even if you were dropbox eligible? By giving wrong answers to questions?
Yes, i answered to questions keeping in mind of the family member.
my wife is added to the same application and it is a first time stamping , so she has to be present in person.
Sree,
In general, they suggest not to mix. Please double check with USTravelDocs and Consualte.
Indra,
yes, this sounds fishy to me too. You cannot skip the interview waiver, if you answer it right…
I have my appointment booked for March as well. As per latest news the ban has been extended till March 31 st. So, most probably they will cancel those appointments, not sure when they will resume regular operations, my best guess is after March 31 st. I’m hoping to be able to reschedule maybe in June or July but looking at the way things are going that seems very distant.
Sree,
Frankly, dont know. You need to check with the USTraevelDocs as it is mixed up.
In general, once they cancel it, your MRV fee is released, so you can book it accordinlgy. When you try to book, re-start the visa type and wizard, it will prompt you for the entire thing and you will be getting dropbox confirmation. Share your inputs after you check and how it goes here for community benefit.
H1B visa details
I was able to secure appointment for H1B + H4 visa stamping at Mumbai Consulate for 6th January (OFC) and 20th January (Interview). I have been trying from last 1 month and this afternoon (12/31) all of sudden it accepted the date. Maybe they just opened up new dates today.
I tried and it is not happened. When I click on possible vacant spot and hit continue it says the appointments are booked.
Has any one experienced this?
I am also trying day and night but not able to secure any appointment.
Might be the person is lying unless provides any proof.
Fake is everywhere now days.
I know it can be frustrating seeing no available slots for weeks. I hope you get a slot too. Positivity bro…
Hi, what time did you checked and got the appointment. Just wanted to know when they’re opening the slots.
I checked around 4 PM IST on 12/31. Immediately after securing regular appointment, I requested for emergency one using reason “My employer is part of lawsuit filed against Trumps Immigration ban”, I got response within half hour saying emergency request has been approved. So, my new dates are 6th Jan OFC and 7th Jan Interview.
Keep trying, you will find one slot eventually.
Thanks for the updates Ganesh. What date you got for regular appointment?
Also which category you chose in the emergency request Medical Needs or Urgent Business Travel?
Appointment date 8th Jan.
Category – Urgent Business Travel
Hi Ganesh, whom did you email for emergency appointment ?
Also, is there a number/email to confirm on your appointment ?
There is no email or number. After you secure regular appointment, a new tab will show up on their portal which can be used to request expedited appointment. Once you click on it, will ask you reason for emergency and attach document to support it.
Forgot to mention, I had to attach a letter from employer that states they are part of Chamber of Commerce (CoC) who filed lawsuit.
Ganesh, appreciate the details you provided. Needs some more info. Did you got a letter from employer justifying urgent business travel or you just attached the letter from your employer stating they’re a member of CoC?
No letter from employer. Just CoC letter.
Thanks Ganesh… Is your interview done? You mentioned in the previous post that its scheduled for 7Jan.
Ganesh,
You got lukcy !
He is Fake! I am sure.
Thank You Ganesh for clarification!
Best of luck with your emergency visa appointment.
I still assume they are not opening any slot for a regular visa appointment yet until March 2021.
Yes. I have been following this thread from last one month. All we can do is keep trying. I got locked a couple of times for attempts exceeded. Got lucky in the end.
Cool.
Hi Kumar,
Do you see any issue with booking an appointment if a slot becomes available by chance now in January? Does it effect our VISA interview in any way(like a reject) if its not Emergency case . I do see everywhere that slots are not open yet but I did got to know a friend who could find a slot today morning in Mumbai for January.
hari,
No harm. If they do not cancel, you can go. Just be careful that there may be last minute surprises… So, be aware…
Hi Ganesh, I could get a regular H1B appointment as well for January in Mumbai. Its a non emergency regular appointment. Do you see any chance of these slots being cancelled as well or should it be fine since these are just opened ? Any thoughts.
1) Is there any particular time of the day when appointment slots open online ? I have been trying since last 10 days but every time I get messsage that no appointment is available.
2) Also how often do you check ? I have been receiving message that I am approaching maximum number of times to view appointment. Thanks
B,
1. It is sporadic, there is no captured pattern.
2. You can technically check upto 12 times at a consualte ( each dropdown you select for a consulate is counted as one view ) Again, this is based on info from users.
Hello Redbus,
Even i had a feb appointment from hyd office and i got the same email. Can you let me know why only hyd office is doing this ?
kiran,
Apparently, someone with Mumbai got similar emails. But, not many cases like that though.
thank you Kumar for your quick reply. Really appreciate your help and support. Can you please clarify one thing like can i apply for h4 visa from other countries ? if so which are those countries from where i can get my first time h4 stamping.
Also can you suggest any other way to go to US. I have been separated from my husband for more than a year now and we still dont have any clarity from consulate when will we get a visa
kiran,
There is no list as such that accepts H4 only. If any consulate says they allow third country nationals stamping, then you can try in that country. You need to write to consulate and get confirmation.
Well, sadly, many are stuck in your same situation. I wish we had an answer.
I understand that US embassies in India are closed till March. Please let me know if any of the US embassies in other counties are starting to process H1-B stamping starting from January 4, 2021. (since the Trump H1-B travel ban ends on December 31, 2020). Thanks.
Hello,
I have my H1B visa approval and need to get it stamped. I’ve been tracking for visa appointment dates to book one then request for an expedited process but there have been no dates so far. Is there ay other way I could apply for an expedited process for H1B stamping?
did ur company provide any additional documentation to support request for expedited visa appointment or can we just apply?
Are you already working in US or are in India waiting to getting new h1b stamped?
Monica,
There is no alternative, you need to wait for the dates to be opened. Only after that you can apply for expedite appointment.
looks like Singapore might be opening up. Is it possible to go get visa stamping there?
koli,
You would need to check in Consulate in that country. There are very strict rules about COVID, so double check.
Hello,
MyVisa got expired in Dec 2019. I’m planning for a dropbox appointment in the month of january. However, as per new USCIS rules, If benefit of 24 months extends further by the Consulate, I will be eligible for drop box, else you will fall under normal Consular interview process.
I’ll be able to go to dropbox only after Jan 01 2021. If this rule isn’t extended post Dec 2020, I’ll not be eligible for dropbox. So, Can I book an appointment for the month of Dec and then reschedule to Jan 2021.
ramya,
Well, we do not know how consulate will treat this after Dec 31st, Need to wait. You can write to the consulate.
Hi, I was trying to get a drop box appointment for my spouse and kid yesterday and when i did not see any slots available, I had a panic attack as we have plans to visit our native place for sister’s wedding next month. After some searching and seeing your comments i realize drop box availability is a common issue across. Does anybody knows when the drop box slots opens up in the day and what is the earliest availability.
Shanmuga,
This is the toughest part, no one knows when they open…
Keep searching for drop box appointment for Chennai consulate 3-4 a day, you will get one. Thats how i got mine. Thanks.
This is a late news and confusing everyone . As no one knows what will went with Dropbox after 31st Dec 2020. ?
Pankaj,
It is not clear at this point, we need to wait and see what consulate tells on the Dropbox after Dec 31st. Best thing to do is reach out to consulate now and ask for the same.
Do update here for community benefit after you get response.
When will reschedule our visa opppintment dates which are cancelled due to covid
Same here, I booked appointment in Mar, Hyd location. Waiting for updates on this situation. Will these slots get cancelled/refreshed?
hi Kanth, how did you get the appointment. When I try I see only ofc appointment and no interview appointments available.
Hi Padmanaban, I have booked somewhere in Nov mid, And few slots were available in Feb and Mar in 2021, not sure either these slot are considered under regular process or not. In embassy tweet posted above it say, these slots may be cancelled or refreshed. Waiting for inputs here.
Hi Padmanabhan,
I am facing the same issue. Has the situation changed for you and did you get the consular appointment? If yes, can you please advise on the steps you took?
Thanks.
When will reschedule our visa opppintment dates which are cancelled due to covid19?
When will reopen Indian embassy???
Jubita,
There is no estimated date from the Consulate on when they will open the regular operations.
Hello !
I got my H1b consular approval in 2020 July, I booked for the Feb Visa slot regularly with no emergency as I am currently living and working in the US. Does my visa slot gets canceled techinically as they stated on their website? Please confirm this.
If they cancel do I need to rebook?
Hello – Me and my spouse (both on H1B visa) are eligible for dropbox. We’re travelling to India on 9th Dec. We have been checking for dropbox appointment in Mumbai for past month but no luck yet. Anyone who has got the appointment has any clue at what time IST they usually release the slots?
Also, my spouse became eligible for dropbox due to waiver rule amendment to 24 month expiry. However, this exception expires on 31st Dec 2020. Does that mean in case we get date in January for dropbox, she may not be eligible if rule changes back to 12 month expiry window?
Thanks in anticipation for your help
Hi,
My sister has to come to India to attend my wedding in June 2021. However, we have no idea when will the regular visa appointments open in India. Is there any way she can schedule the appointment or any tentative time that regular visa appointments will open. We are stuck and it is urgent. Could you please advise.
Swati Sinha,
We do not know how thinks would look like in June of next year. Hopefully with new administration in place, it could be different, so stay tuned. No one knows when the regular operations would resume.
Hello,
Any idea on Dropbox. I was checking on 3rd Nov 2020 on UsTraveldocs and appointments were available from 15th March 2021.
And I am checking today and it says “There are currently no appointments available.”.
Moreover, I am checking Visa Appointment Wait Times on https://travel.state.gov/ and it says “Temporarily Closed” for New Delhi Consulate.
Any idea on when the Dropbox appointment should be available next year?
Pankaj,
This is a hit and a miss. They are opening slots on a regular basis, but not giving many…some are lucky to find the slots, others are not. All we can do is wait for the regular operations to commence or keep checking the website for open slots. The status on the travel.state.gov is not accurate.
Hi,
I would like to take dropbox appointment . I am a software engineer and waiting for stamping of my h1b visa . Could you help me on this . I am currently in US planning to come next month. I am about to marry a girl who is waiting since 8th months for me. Please tell me the chances of my visa get approved. Or any other way there? plzzzzzzzz
Mahesh,
Visa approvals are dependent on many factors, no one can say… There is no other way. As long as you have all documents and all are genuine, you have a fair chance.
Nice
Currently I am in India and me and My wife have valid visa stamped. Can some one suggest if I can do stamping for my 6 months old daughter(H4) or do I need to wait till dec 31.
Soumik,
If parents have valid H1B stamped, you can apply for H4. The problem is getting Emergency appointments slots. You can give it a shot.
Thanks for the response. I believe my Kid is elligible for dropbox. is dropbox facility is open for H4 stamping.
Note : this is not renewal. Fresh stamping will be done for H4
Hi kumar can you please shed some light on this.
I believe my Kid is elligible for dropbox. is dropbox facility is open for H4 stamping.
Note : this is not renewal. Fresh stamping will be done for H4 (Both parent visa is valid and stamped) and cureent location is INDIA
Soumik,
Yes, if they are under 14 years of age.
Hello !!
I was able to get a dropbox appointment for December 4th @ chennai – But wanted to know if the dropbox appointments are also being cancelled like the regular visa appointments ??
Anybody who has heard about this? please help.
Also if there’s anyone who got their visa’s issued recently via Dropbox – Kindly please share the experience.
Thanks for the help !
Thanks,
Prashanth
Prashanth,
Dropbox appointments should not be cancelled. They have not given any such guidance as such. They should not be cancelled, I have not heard on the blog or any social media groups too.
Thank you Kumar !! This is really helpful.
Sorry for too many questions but Kindly please help answering the below ones – My travel starts next week so this will really help me.
1. Do I need to apply for emergency petition too along with the Dropbox appointment? I’m with the same employer and client since my last stamping( In Feb 2020)
2. I had my previous stamping at Hyderabad? But due to lack of slots – this time it is at Chennai will that be fine or Do i need to explain?
Thanks Again !!
Prashanth,
1. No. If you have dropbox, you do not need the EA. You go to that only, if you do not qualify for the dropbox appointment.
2. No need to. If they ask, you can tell the same.
Kumar, Thank you So much for providing clarity on y Q’s !!!
Really appreciate your help !!
Prashanth,
Cheers !