How to apply for H-1B visa 2016? Step by Step guide

For H-1B visa, prospective employer should file petition on behalf of employer, before United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and it should be approved by the US government.

The petition Form I-129 must be approved by USCIS before applying for work visa at Embassy or Consulate. Once petition is approved, employer will receive Notice of Action, Form I-797 that is petition’s approval notification. During interview, the counselor will verify proved petition through Department of State’s Petition Information Management Services (PIMS).

Make sure to carry I-129 petition receipt number and a copy of Form I-797 for the interview for verifying petition’s approval.

H1B Visa Processing Service

When to apply?

Embassy/Consulate process H-1B visa application up to 90 days prior to the beginning of employment status as noted in Form I-797.  Due to Federal regulations, use the visa to apply for entry to the United States starting ten days prior to the beginning of the approved status period as noted on your I-797.

How to apply?

Step 1

Complete the DS-160 form. Read the Guidelines for Completing the DS-160 Form carefully. All information must be correct and accurate, and you cannot make changes once the form is submitted. For assistance, consult an immigration lawyer or immigration consultants.

Step 2

After completing DS-160 form, you need to pay Visa Fee. To pay your visa fee, read the Bank and Payment Options page.

Step 3

Login to the profile with the credentials used for visa fee payment. On the Dashboard, Go to schedule Appointment, which can be seen on the left-hand side menu. First schedule appointment for visa interview at the Embassy.

Second, schedule your appointment at a Visa Application Centre. This appointment will allow you to go to one of the five Visa Application Centre locations to have your fingerprints and photo taken. This appointment must be at least 1 day before your visa interview appointment at the Embassy or Consulate. You will need three pieces of information in order to schedule your appointment:

·         Your passport number

·         The date you paid your fee

·         The ten (10) digit barcode number from your DS-160 confirmation page

Step 4

For your Visa Application Centre appointments carry following documents

·         A passport valid for travel to the United States with validity dates at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions). If more than one person is included in your passport, each person desiring a visa must submit an application.

·         Your DS-160 confirmation page.

·         Your appointment confirmation page.

·         One photograph as per U.S. visa specifications if the applicant is under 14 years of age. See the Photos and Fingerprints page for more details.

Step 5

Following your visit to the Visa Application Centre to have your photo and fingerprints taken, you will then visit the U.S. Embassy or Consulate on the date and time of your visa interview. You must bring: 

• A printed copy of your appointment letter,
• Your DS-160 confirmation page 
• Your current and all old passports
• Supporting Documents as per your visa type
• If you are an L-1 applicant on a blanket petition, you must pay a fraud prevention and detection fee (more information about this fee is here).
• The receipt number printed on your approved I-129 petition.

Applications without all of these items will not be accepted.