Consulate General in Hyderabad also provides an array of services to U.S. Citizens residing in or traveling to Hyderabad's consular district, and visa services to persons seeking to travel to the United States for official, tourism, business or educational purposes.
- H1B Visa dates in Hyderabad US Embassy can be found by selecting visa class as 'Working in the USA'. When Visa Dates will be released for US Consulate Hyderabad? Visa Dates will be released once all available slots are over enough demand is created for remaining slots. First Consulate will open the slots after 10 am.
- Anyways, I saw the dates available at 6:30 AM Eastern Standard Time On October 24th morning. I posted it on Murthy at 7:00 AM. I have no idea why my topic shows as posted at 6:02 AM. For visa appointment, I saw only for 15th. Four slots were available. 8:30, 9:00, 10:00, 10:30. I booked the latest, 10:30. I wish I had taken the screenshot.
Update Dec 7, 2020 – US embassy in India says that interview appointments in Feb and Mar 2021 will be canceled as they have not yet opened for regular visa processing due to the COVID-19 situation.
#1 Only 1 Request for Emergency Appointment Allowed
US embassy in India is only allowing only 1 request for emergency appointment per one visa application fee. Do not use this chance if you are just giving it a try without a real emergency.
#2 Visa application fee validity increased to Dec 2021
The US embassy will allow the extension of visa application till the end of Dec 2021 keeping in view the limited appointment available due to COVID-19. This is more than the normal 1-year validity.
#3 F1 Visa Emergency Criteria
Many people and immigration lawyer Murthy have reported that even though the US embassy officially said to allow emergency appointments when a student's session start date is less than 60 days from the date of appointment, the reality is that they are rarely allowing anyone with more than 3 weeks time.
#4 H1B, H4 – First time visa appointment after lottery
You are eligible to get an interview appointment only if you have an emergency until Mar 2021 end. This is different than the H1B travel ban.
The travel ban criteria are analyzed only once you have got a visa interview appointment and at the time of your actual interview.
#5 H1B, H4 Dropbox
H1B, H4, L1, L2 can get visa stamp processed if they are eligible for Dropbox even without proving emergency.
Dropbox Appointments are available earlier than Feb/Mar 2021 for all types of visa applications.
#6 B2 Emergency Appointment
You can request and get approval for an emergency appointment only if you have a life and death situation or medical emergencies.
All other types of visitor visa emergency requests are being denied straightaway.
#4 Other Points
- Only emergency visa appointments are available till Feb and March of 2021 for F, M, J, H, and L visas. The regularly scheduled appointments will be canceled unless the COVID-19 situation improves.
- Form 221g applications are being processed but at a slow pace due to a shortage of staff.
Earlier on Oct 20, 2020, the US embassy had clearly advised to not make any travel plans in winter if you will need a US visa stamp to return.
They are expecting long delays and non-availability of interview appointments.
Earliest US Visa Appointment Date Available?
There is no expected regular visa processing reopening date available due to the ever-increasing number of Coronavirus cases in India.
Earlier, on Aug 17, 2020, the US embassy in India had announced reopening with very limited appointments. Appointments were to be made available for the US embassy in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.
H1b Visa Slots Availability In Hyderabad Kenya
But, it seems that they have closed again and there is no date available in near future.
This article will discuss:How to Apply Emergency Appointment Request- Experience 1
- Experience 2
How to Apply Emergency Appointment Request
Experience 1
I am sharing this if any of your family member/or yourself who is stuck in India and wants to reunite. This will be helpful for them.
My case is that I got married in the month of February and was unable to travel to the USA because of the COVID.
Finally, after a lot of thought, I decided to Opt for the Emergency appointment at the Mumbai Consulate for getting my visa. Normal visa processing is still shut.
My Case: Newly Married
Applied for: H4 Visa
What is an emergency situation?
They consider family separation as an emergency situation for getting a visa.
My case is a pure example of that and I have seen cases where they have denied also if they don't find your reason genuine.
My case was from Mumbai and most of the cases of family separation have been considered from (Mumbai and Delhi consulate ). It is important to select the consulate wisely.
Hyderabad Consulates are denying EA based on family separation.
I followed the steps as:
- Select the first available appointment.
- As soon as you schedule your appointment, you will receive a confirmation email from the consulate stating your new scheduled appointment. (In my case I could see the nearest date as Feb 17th, 2021)
- You will notice that there is an additional tab named Emergency request added on the left side of your screen.
- Copyright am22tech.com
- Once you click on EA, you need 4 things to fill in
- Your tentative date to travel (closest to the present month, I selected 20th August)
- Reason for Emergency – I selected Medical needs, as this caused me and my partner mental stress and anxiety.
- A brief explanation of Emergency. I mentioned details of me getting married recently and this distance causing me mental stress and anxiety. Try writing it crisp, small, and to the point. I did not write anything about the doctor or medical condition.
- Attachments: you can submit up to 5 attachments. (I submitted my husband's passport, i-797, H1B visa, i94, Marriage certificate)
- H4 visa stamping documents checklist.
- Submit and wait for their decision. I submitted my EA request on the 31st of July and got my EA approved on the 3rd of August. Give them 24-48 hrs to reply back.
- Log back into your profile when your EA is approved And select the closest OFC and consular date.
- NOTE: they take a Biometric and visa interview on the same date even if the OFC date is different, so please go on the date of your consular appointment.
- Schedule the EA appointment.
- Print the appointment confirmation page.
Interview date: 7th August 2020
Time: 8:30 am
Place: Mumbai Consulate
I reached there before time but they started the visa interview late. They asked me to submit for husbands I-797, my photograph 2*2 white background, Ds -160 confirmation page, my passport at the very beginning before the interview.
Questions asked:
- Is this your first time for H4 or a renewal
- Show your marriage certificate and wedding album
- When did you get married
- Where does your husband live
- What company does he work for
- Brief details of spouse work
- What did I do in turkey (I visited there in 2019, so details about that)
- Did I travel anywhere in 2020
- Where do I work here
- How do I plan to quarantine in the US
- Since how long do you know him
- Details about my Work profile
I got my visa approved. These 6 months of being separated from my family have been the worst time of my life, especially after my wedding. I hope that this write-up will help many to reunite with their families during these uncertain times.
My VO was very friendly and sweet.
Experience 2
- H1B Visa dates in Hyderabad US Embassy can be found by selecting visa class as 'Working in the USA'. When Visa Dates will be released for US Consulate Hyderabad? Visa Dates will be released once all available slots are over enough demand is created for remaining slots. First Consulate will open the slots after 10 am.
- Anyways, I saw the dates available at 6:30 AM Eastern Standard Time On October 24th morning. I posted it on Murthy at 7:00 AM. I have no idea why my topic shows as posted at 6:02 AM. For visa appointment, I saw only for 15th. Four slots were available. 8:30, 9:00, 10:00, 10:30. I booked the latest, 10:30. I wish I had taken the screenshot.
Update Dec 7, 2020 – US embassy in India says that interview appointments in Feb and Mar 2021 will be canceled as they have not yet opened for regular visa processing due to the COVID-19 situation.
#1 Only 1 Request for Emergency Appointment Allowed
US embassy in India is only allowing only 1 request for emergency appointment per one visa application fee. Do not use this chance if you are just giving it a try without a real emergency.
#2 Visa application fee validity increased to Dec 2021
The US embassy will allow the extension of visa application till the end of Dec 2021 keeping in view the limited appointment available due to COVID-19. This is more than the normal 1-year validity.
#3 F1 Visa Emergency Criteria
Many people and immigration lawyer Murthy have reported that even though the US embassy officially said to allow emergency appointments when a student's session start date is less than 60 days from the date of appointment, the reality is that they are rarely allowing anyone with more than 3 weeks time.
#4 H1B, H4 – First time visa appointment after lottery
You are eligible to get an interview appointment only if you have an emergency until Mar 2021 end. This is different than the H1B travel ban.
The travel ban criteria are analyzed only once you have got a visa interview appointment and at the time of your actual interview.
#5 H1B, H4 Dropbox
H1B, H4, L1, L2 can get visa stamp processed if they are eligible for Dropbox even without proving emergency.
Dropbox Appointments are available earlier than Feb/Mar 2021 for all types of visa applications.
#6 B2 Emergency Appointment
You can request and get approval for an emergency appointment only if you have a life and death situation or medical emergencies.
All other types of visitor visa emergency requests are being denied straightaway.
#4 Other Points
- Only emergency visa appointments are available till Feb and March of 2021 for F, M, J, H, and L visas. The regularly scheduled appointments will be canceled unless the COVID-19 situation improves.
- Form 221g applications are being processed but at a slow pace due to a shortage of staff.
Earlier on Oct 20, 2020, the US embassy had clearly advised to not make any travel plans in winter if you will need a US visa stamp to return.
They are expecting long delays and non-availability of interview appointments.
Earliest US Visa Appointment Date Available?
There is no expected regular visa processing reopening date available due to the ever-increasing number of Coronavirus cases in India.
Earlier, on Aug 17, 2020, the US embassy in India had announced reopening with very limited appointments. Appointments were to be made available for the US embassy in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.
H1b Visa Slots Availability In Hyderabad Kenya
But, it seems that they have closed again and there is no date available in near future.
This article will discuss:How to Apply Emergency Appointment Request- Experience 1
- Experience 2
How to Apply Emergency Appointment Request
Experience 1
I am sharing this if any of your family member/or yourself who is stuck in India and wants to reunite. This will be helpful for them.
My case is that I got married in the month of February and was unable to travel to the USA because of the COVID.
Finally, after a lot of thought, I decided to Opt for the Emergency appointment at the Mumbai Consulate for getting my visa. Normal visa processing is still shut.
My Case: Newly Married
Applied for: H4 Visa
What is an emergency situation?
They consider family separation as an emergency situation for getting a visa.
My case is a pure example of that and I have seen cases where they have denied also if they don't find your reason genuine.
My case was from Mumbai and most of the cases of family separation have been considered from (Mumbai and Delhi consulate ). It is important to select the consulate wisely.
Hyderabad Consulates are denying EA based on family separation.
I followed the steps as:
- Select the first available appointment.
- As soon as you schedule your appointment, you will receive a confirmation email from the consulate stating your new scheduled appointment. (In my case I could see the nearest date as Feb 17th, 2021)
- You will notice that there is an additional tab named Emergency request added on the left side of your screen.
- Copyright am22tech.com
- Once you click on EA, you need 4 things to fill in
- Your tentative date to travel (closest to the present month, I selected 20th August)
- Reason for Emergency – I selected Medical needs, as this caused me and my partner mental stress and anxiety.
- A brief explanation of Emergency. I mentioned details of me getting married recently and this distance causing me mental stress and anxiety. Try writing it crisp, small, and to the point. I did not write anything about the doctor or medical condition.
- Attachments: you can submit up to 5 attachments. (I submitted my husband's passport, i-797, H1B visa, i94, Marriage certificate)
- H4 visa stamping documents checklist.
- Submit and wait for their decision. I submitted my EA request on the 31st of July and got my EA approved on the 3rd of August. Give them 24-48 hrs to reply back.
- Log back into your profile when your EA is approved And select the closest OFC and consular date.
- NOTE: they take a Biometric and visa interview on the same date even if the OFC date is different, so please go on the date of your consular appointment.
- Schedule the EA appointment.
- Print the appointment confirmation page.
Interview date: 7th August 2020
Time: 8:30 am
Place: Mumbai Consulate
I reached there before time but they started the visa interview late. They asked me to submit for husbands I-797, my photograph 2*2 white background, Ds -160 confirmation page, my passport at the very beginning before the interview.
Questions asked:
- Is this your first time for H4 or a renewal
- Show your marriage certificate and wedding album
- When did you get married
- Where does your husband live
- What company does he work for
- Brief details of spouse work
- What did I do in turkey (I visited there in 2019, so details about that)
- Did I travel anywhere in 2020
- Where do I work here
- How do I plan to quarantine in the US
- Since how long do you know him
- Details about my Work profile
I got my visa approved. These 6 months of being separated from my family have been the worst time of my life, especially after my wedding. I hope that this write-up will help many to reunite with their families during these uncertain times.
My VO was very friendly and sweet.
Experience 2
The sequence of events as shared by our guest:
- He sent an email on June first week to the Hyderabad US embassy asking for help.
- Embassy reply: Embassy closed. Cannot process applications.
- Follow up email in July first week requesting help for H4 dependents.
- Embassy reply (July first week): Embassy cannot process H4 visa applications due to Travel ban EO signed by trump.
- Embassy reply (July 15): Send documents to prove emergency for H4 visa.
Can you request emergency Appointment?
If your H4 family is stuck in India, you can give it a try and try requesting an expedited visa processing by sharing details such as:
- Your kid (H4) is missing school and has never attended school in India.
- Your H4 spouse does not work in the USA – so there is no chance of affecting American worker jobs. Chances are good in this case but not guaranteed.
Travel Ban Restrictions
If you are trying to apply for a visa category that currently has travel restrictions like H1B, L1, J1, or their dependents, then you may not be issued a visa.
Open App in new Window >
FAQ
Will dropbox appointment be allowed after Embassy Reopening?Dropbox appointments are available but in limited numbers due to COVID distancing rules.Note that you may be called for an in-person visa interview even if you are eligible for dropbox.
There is no guarantee that you will be given a faster interview appointment if they issue the form 221g after the dropbox.Will my Visa interview fees be refunded?US visa fees are non-refundable.
It is valid for 1 year from the date of payment. As far as we know, the US embassy has not announced an extension of this fee payment validity.
H1b Visa Slots Availability In Hyderabad Dubai
US embassy will give you a chance to reschedule your visa appointment later without paying fees again.Can I visit any other country for my US visa stamp outside India?You can visit any other country for your US visa stamp if you can and the embassy is open there.Some people are trying to visit Canada or Mexico to get a US visa stamp if the US embassy is open there.
You should carefully check the travel restrictions before buying any flight tickets or booking an interview appointment with the US embassy.Can I work remotely from India on US payroll?You can work remotely from India. Short term work from outside the USA on H1B or L1 visa is acceptable.
A petition has been approved by US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of a foreign national and she receives the long-awaited and coveted I-797 Approval Notice. She is brimming with excitement as she logs into the US Embassy/Consulate's online visa appointment system to schedule the appointment to get the visa stamped in her passport. But the next available appointment is weeks away. And she needs to travel to the US as soon as possible. What to do? Here are five things she could try to help expedite her visa appointment and increase the chances of her appointment going smoothly.
1. Request an Emergency Appointment
Each US Embassy/Consulate has a slightly different procedure for making this request, but many US Embassies/Consulates offer an option to request an emergency appointment through their online appointment system. Once logged into the foreign national's online profile on the system, on the homepage there may be a button that says 'Request emergency appointment.' This button normally only appears after an appointment is booked, so even if there is no appointment date early enough to suit the travel needs, foreign nationals should still book the next available appointment. This will put them in a better position to attempt expediting a visa appointment. Once the button is visible, click on it to make the request. While there is no guarantee the request will be successful, this is the best chance many foreign nationals have of expediting the appointment.
2. Use Specific Information to Justify the Need for an Emergency Appointment
If the urgent need to travel to the US is for work, foreign nationals should include as many details as possible about the project that requires them to be in the US and what would occur if they were not able to arrive in the US on time. If a family member is ill, foreign nationals should again provide details about the nature of the emergency and proof that they are related to the family member in question. It is best if foreign nationals are able to bring documentation with them to the appointment in support of the request—a letter from the visa sponsor or family member's doctor would work in the examples provided above.
3. Submit the Form DS-160 Early
While the Department of State recommends submitting the Form DS-160 no later than forty-eight hours in advance of the appointment, foreign nationals should submit their applications as early as possible. The information on the DS-160 is needed to perform security checks prior to processing the visa stamp after the appointment, so submitting early will help to minimize any delays. Bear in mind that if the emergency request asks for an appointment date ASAP, the DS-160 should also be submitted ASAP in an effort to get the Department of State the necessary information as early as possible, even if it may not make the recommended forty-eight hour deadline.
4. Ensure the I-797 Approval Notice and Corresponding Petition Are Uploaded Into PIMS
PIMM'S is a cocktail, of course, but in the immigration context PIMS stands for 'Petitioner Information Management Service,' which is the electronic database that allows consular officers at US Embassies/Consulates around the world to access and confirm USCIS petition approval data and supporting documents online, thereby speeding up the issuance of nonimmigrant visas. Typically if USCIS was provided with a duplicate of the originally filed visa petition, they should forward one copy and the approval notice to be uploaded into PIMS automatically. Unfortunately, more often than we would like, there is a delay in a petition being uploaded into the PIMS system, sometimes causing a delay in the issuance of a visa. If foreign nationals are requesting an expedited appointment on a tight schedule, they should ensure that the petition has been uploaded to PIMS.
5. Ensure that the Passport Is Valid and in Good Condition, With at Least Two Opposite Facing Blank Pages for the Visa Stamp
H1b Visa Slots Availability In Hyderabad Flight
While this won't help foreign nationals schedule an appointment any quicker, it will make the visa processing much smoother. Foreign nationals' passports should be valid for at least six months beyond the requested period of stay in the United States unless exempt by country-specific agreements. In addition, the passport should not be damaged in any way. The passport photo must be clear and the information must be legible; if the plastic is peeling off the photo page, foreign nationals may be required to get a new passport. The rest of the pages in the passport should not be torn, crinkled, or stained. If the passport is damaged, foreign nationals should not attempt to fix the damage as this could be construed as a fraudulent act; they should apply for a new passport.
Bonus Tip
H1 Visa Slots Availability In Hyderabad
Book early. Okay, this might not be that helpful if foreign nationals are already in the predicament described above, but once that I-797 Approval Notice is received, they shouldn't delay! Planning ahead is crucial in securing an ideal visa appointment date. And note that visa appointments at US Embassies/Consulates tend to book up further in advance during the summer and around holidays. So those who are waiting should go ahead and make that appointment. They'll be glad they did!