H1B Visa 2010 Approved, When Can I Go for Visa Stamping?

by HSB on April 26, 2009

in H1B Visa

I know many readers for last 25 days here at HSB are looking for H1B Visa 2010 related information ( Approval, Petition number, Premium and regular processing, ..). There are many H1B 2010 applicants who are currently living outside United States. So, the question is

I got H1B Visa petition for FY 2010 approved, I would like to know when can I go for H1B Visa stamping to nearby US Consulate.?

H1B Visa Stamping

H1B Visa approval is your first step towards coming to United States. There are lot more work to be done, before you can actually come to US on H1B Visa. I guess some consulting company should have your H1B Visa petition, if you are living outside United States.

There were few of consulting companies last year, that never gave H1B Receipt number to the applicants living outside US. Once, your H1B Petition is approved, USCIS will send official H-1B Approval Notice (form I 797).

  • If attorney is representing the employer then
  • H1B Approval Notice ( I797) USCIS -> Attorney -> Employer -> Employee ( you)
  • If attorney is representing you then
  • H1B Approval Notice from USCIS -> Attorney -> You

Along with approval notice, you will need list of H1B Visa Stamping documents from your employer. Once, you get those documents, your employer must give their approval for you to go for stamping. Typically, you can go for stamping upto 20 days in advance from H1B start date.

Probably your next question will be -

  • What will happen if I go for H1B Stamping without employer’s approval?

Above question is answered at After H1B Approval – What Next?

Related posts:

  1. After H1B Approval – What Next?
  2. My H1B Visa 2008 – Case Received And Pending To Approved
  3. L1 to H1B Visa Transfer without H1B Approval Notice?
  4. Now there is No H1B FY 2010 Lottery – What Next?
  5. H1B Approved 59,100; Pending Approval 9500
  6. H1B Denied! Approved after filing MTR

{ 69 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Palak July 28, 2010 at 4:44 PM

Hello,i m presently on H4 visa and my employer is applying for H1b this yr.I havent gone for stamping for h4 yet.I want to leave the country to visit India.Can i?

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2 suchitra June 20, 2010 at 3:47 PM

hi, can any1 help me plz.
1. i hv got approval for h1-b visa, but my employer is not sending the paper, is ther any other alternative to go for stamping?
2. i hv indian passport but am going back to uk in 2 weeks time. i was in uk before but from more than 6 months am in india, now my question is can i go for stamping in uk?
if any one is aware of such situation plz reply me with ur suggestions
thank u

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3 tenzing doma bhutia June 5, 2010 at 7:48 AM

hi who we now that visa is not fault if we get usa working visa through conultant.plz reply me

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4 jems June 3, 2010 at 1:14 PM

hi jem here..
i hav h1 visa? now how much time required for pr?
reply

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5 emeraldiswhite June 11, 2010 at 6:28 AM

at least 20yrs!

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6 ankita June 1, 2010 at 1:35 AM

My name is Ankita i am going US in November with my husband … my husband stays their on H1b visa so i want to confirm if i want to do job their WATS the process i need to do?? Please reply me as soon as possible…

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7 dev July 27, 2010 at 6:48 AM

You cannot do any job while your husband in H1. Because you are going on dependant visa.

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8 Deepak May 28, 2010 at 4:25 AM

Hi,
I have H1B approoved and stamped. I never been to US and now I left my employer and joined othher company. Can you tell me it can be trannsferred or not?

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9 DarkPrince July 8, 2010 at 6:44 AM

Hi Deepak,
Even I am looking out for an answer to your quesion.

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10 prady May 26, 2010 at 12:50 PM

Hi,
My H1B is going to expire on coming sept 2010 and it was stamped on 2007 .After the VISA stamped i never been to usa because of some personal problem. now i am planning to go for 6 month . can i go because my visa is going to expare after 4 month.

Thanks
Routray

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11 dev July 27, 2010 at 6:50 AM

yes you can go and apply for a h1 extension under premium processing.

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12 Anand V May 14, 2010 at 7:05 AM

Hi All,

I got my h1b approved for FY08. However,due to some personal reasons,I could not able to go for stamping. Currently, I m planning to go for stamping this year. Is this possible? What are the questions that I can expect because of not attending long time? Can someone help me with details please.

Thanks
Ganesh

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13 dev July 27, 2010 at 6:50 AM

yes you can go for stamping.You have to justify for not applying

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14 ssmita May 4, 2010 at 2:54 AM

Hi,

I am in US on H4 and got my H1B approval last year. I am planning to go to New Delhi for my visa stamping. Could you pls let me know the list of document required for the stamping process.

Thanks in Advance.

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15 georgina January 7, 2010 at 8:49 AM

Hi,

My H1B Visa has been approved for FY2010, when I went for visa stamping, after interview the consular officer gave me a green form where it says “Your application requires further administrative processing. We shall contact you as soon as the administrative processing is completed…” The officer didn’t give anymore information as to what it is for.

Has anybody experienced this. Do I still have a chance that this will get resolved? How long does this “administrative processing” usually take? I’m really worried. It’s been 2 months since my interview. PLease help. Thanks.

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16 Ashwani Khanna April 3, 2010 at 9:33 PM

Well, tell your employer to write to the Indian office of the US Embassy to know and expedite the status of the application. Dont worry it wont take long.

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17 raj April 21, 2010 at 2:20 PM

hi georgina,

can u pls tell me if you have received ur passport/h1b stamping. I am planning to go for h1b stamping this month and heard lot abt admin processing these days.

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18 sandeep December 23, 2009 at 10:58 PM

hi

please tell me :

1.after how long i can go for stamping after getting h1 visa.
is it possible to go right after getting h1 visa?

2. after getting h1 visa when can i apply h4 visa for my wife and how long does it take?

Reply

19 Neeti Kapoor December 24, 2009 at 6:27 AM

Hi Sandeep,

Congratulations! for getting the H1b approved. I am a post graduate in Statistics with 1 yr of work experience. I am looking for a H1b sponsor myself.Would highly appreciate if you can guide me as to how I can find one. Also how did ou find an employer in US.

Thanks

Reply

20 dev July 27, 2010 at 6:52 AM

1. you have 3 years of time for h1 stamping
2.You can take your wife along with you for h4 while you stamp for h1

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21 Vai August 12, 2010 at 1:14 PM

Hi Dev,

What exactly do you mean by “three years of time” for H1 stamping? I got my H1B approved last year by my employer in the States. However, I had to leave for India due to family/personal reasons. I’m on the verge of being offered a position with my former company that sponsored me for the H1B, can I still get my H1B stamped?
Thanks,
Vai

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22 Mahesh Ramani October 29, 2009 at 11:45 AM

Hi
I am new to this site and also dont have much knowledge on H1B visa.So if my question is absurd,please do excuse.

I would like to know how to find an employer in US who will offer me a H1B visa.I have 3 years of experience working in IT companies in India but really want to know my prospects in US.

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23 HSB October 30, 2009 at 12:17 AM

You can find answers to your questions by reading all the blog articles related to H1B Visa here. There many interesting discussions and comments to learn from.

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24 Neeti Kapoor December 24, 2009 at 6:39 AM

Hi HSB,

I have been reading articles on your website regarding h1B visa. Me and my husband have been trying to find a sponsor but haven’t succeeded so far. My husband has more than 15 years of experience working for US companies. I am a post graduate in Statistics with 1 yr work experience. May I please request you to guide us as to how we can find a genuine employer in US. Thanks

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25 HSB December 24, 2009 at 10:09 AM
26 AP September 22, 2009 at 6:29 PM

My H1 has been Approved.
I am on F1-OPT, and my H1 gets valid from Oct. 1
I wasn’t planning to go to India for H-1 stamping this year.
My Green Card process may start early next year.

My question is that:

“Is the H-1 Visa STAMP required to start the process for Green Card”?
OR
“Can I Apply for a Green Card just on my H-1 Approval Notice?”

Reply

27 backbencher September 4, 2009 at 11:01 AM

Hi,

I got my H1B approved for 2010. I want to go Canada for stamping. Please let me know when should I go. And how can I get an appointment for visa interview in canada. If I need to take visa from canadian embassy to enter in Canada, how long it would be?

Thanks. I highly appreciate your response.

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28 V August 30, 2010 at 7:13 PM

Backbencher- Just curious to see if you traveled to Canada for H1B Stamping last year. I got my visa approved for 2011 and am planning to do the same. Please could you throw some light on (i) how do you go about applying for the canadian visa (assuming we do need one) and (ii) which city did you choose to go to (iii) number of days it took you to get your passport back after stamping. Will really appreciate any related information.

Thanks
V

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29 Reena September 1, 2009 at 4:57 PM

Hi HSB,

In our last conversation you said you cannot give h1 sponsors employers details in public. I have not applied this year, Iam planning to apply for next year. So can you let me know the list thru private message or something, pls let me knw so that I can provide or vice versa an email id for further communication
would really appreciate if you can give me the list

Cheers
Reena

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30 Neeti November 24, 2009 at 8:36 AM

Hi,

I have a visit visa for US but am looking for a sponsor for H1B. I am a post graduate in Statistics. Can someone help me in this…

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31 rani September 1, 2009 at 1:05 PM

I am a teacher n i got my h1b approval for 2010. But my company said that it is valid for one year and can be extended.

My question to you all is that did anybody get h1b for one year and can my visa to extended for more years.
i’m very confuse, please help.

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32 Neeti Kapoor December 24, 2009 at 6:31 AM

Hi Rani,

I will appreciate if you can share with me as to how you found a H1B sponsor. I am looking for an employer who can sponsor me. Thanks

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33 Renu August 25, 2009 at 8:38 PM

I have visitor visa & now I came back India for H1b staming,I got H1B Approved from my Employer, After H1B stamped whats the earliest/lasts I can enter U.S. on a H1B visa.

Regards,
Renu.

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34 Punit September 4, 2009 at 4:28 PM

You can enter anytime after 20th September.

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35 diganta July 29, 2009 at 3:07 AM

Hi all,
can u people tell me if anybody has filed H1B through consultant called paragon technologies(PRISM) in chennai..?

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36 Gopi August 7, 2009 at 5:53 AM

Hi diganta, Am also applied through paragon technologies. Could you give me your mail id or phone number. We can discuss in person regarding this H1B case status.

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37 Abhishek September 9, 2009 at 4:19 AM

Hi,

I ahve filed by H1B for this year through Paragon,But i havent recive any updated till now.Do you have any idea .can we talk.

Thanks
Abhishek

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38 diganta September 9, 2009 at 5:18 AM

hi.
give me your emailid or phone no..

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39 diganta September 9, 2009 at 5:19 AM

hi.
give your emailid or phone no..

Reply

40 Gopi September 9, 2009 at 6:14 AM

Give me ur mail id or contact number to reach u…

Reply

41 Abhishek September 10, 2009 at 2:55 AM

tell me the way to pass my email id.i try to put my mail id here but administrator remove it

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42 diganta September 10, 2009 at 4:45 AM

you can contact me on the above emailid and the phone number provided by me..

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43 Abhishek September 10, 2009 at 5:58 AM

i can’nt see any

44 diganta September 10, 2009 at 6:43 AM

you just search the comment posted on August 7, 2009 at 7:42 AM by me.

45 Abhishek September 15, 2009 at 3:21 AM

myemail(abheeshekdubey@gmail.com)

46 abheeshekdubey@gmail.com September 15, 2009 at 3:22 AM

sent me ur details in this mail

47 Neeti November 24, 2009 at 8:38 AM

Hi,

I have a visit visa for US but am looking for a sponsor for H1B. I am a post graduate in Statistics. Can someone help me in this…Does this consultant (PRISM) really help find an employer for H1B? Can you help me with more info…

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48 TheOne June 29, 2009 at 6:57 AM

Hi

i am from India and i heard of an acquintance who has got H1 approval and got stamping done and now his company is sending him to US in next 2 weeks

HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE. Isnt he suppose to travel AFTER 1st October even if his stamping has been done now

SO THE QUESTION IS, ARE THERE ANY EXCEPTIONS OF TRAVELING TO US BEFORE 1ST OCT IF YOUR COMPANY PROVIDES SOME KIND OF LETTER TO REQUEST THAT THE PROJECT IS STARTING EARLIER AND THE CANDIDATE NEEDS TO VISIT US SOON.

i am unable to understand otherwise how this candidate can visit US. He does not even hold any other visa (like B1/B2 etc)

Please clarify

Cheers,
TheOne

Reply

49 pb June 24, 2009 at 12:27 PM

I am on opt-extension. I got h1b approved for 2010. I am currently working. Can i go to india in august and get h1b visa stamping and come back to US and continue my work on opt-ext till october.

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50 FANAT1C August 3, 2009 at 12:35 PM

generally the opt ead card has no-re-entry. so no. unless u get a new i-20 from univ with a travel permission. i would still stay away from this, and just go after october.

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51 Punit June 14, 2009 at 9:02 AM

To All Confused H1B Visa Stamp Seekers

When you apply for a visa ?

As soon as you receive all the required documents from your employer/attorney you can apply for the H1B Visa at your nearest US Embassy / Consulate.

******************************************************

This is what US Embassy (New Delhi) Website has to say about “When to Apply for H1B Visa”.

A. Apply early for a visa. You should apply as soon as you have an approved petition, as indicated by receipt of a Form I-797, Notice of Approval.

Source: http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/applyinghlopq.html

******************************************************

So you can apply whenever you wish and whenever you have all the docs ready.

For those who have their H1B Visa Approved by USCIS this year,

They can apply on any day till 30th September, 2009, if they want to start working in US on Oct 1st 2009.

1st Oct, 2009 is the “Employment Start Date ” of all Petitions who have applied & approved this year.

Best of Luck to all.

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52 jassi June 8, 2009 at 2:40 AM

hi.. my consultant has told me that my h1b petition has been approved . also that the process is going smooth and according to plan. is it true that despite all , i cannot enter U.S before 1 october 2009 ?? and when do we generaly apply for a visa at the consulate.?

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53 pop May 26, 2009 at 3:18 AM

hi HSB please respond
i got an email from my employer saying that they got my approval notice and asked me for my complete address and full name
but i need to ask about important questions
1- i am married shall i take my wife with me when i am going to take visa stamp from embassy in our country ?
when shall i travel after getting stamp of visa ?
thanks
ehab

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54 inquiry May 24, 2009 at 1:49 AM

If you are given an approval, does it mean that on the visa stamping you’re already approved? or there is still a chance of denial?

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55 Punit June 14, 2009 at 9:05 AM

Yes there is a chance of Denial, if the Visa Officer think that your Degrees or Qualifications or Experience is Fake.

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56 Sai May 7, 2009 at 7:53 AM

Please help me. I applied for H1 this year and got my h1 approval. I am on my L1 visa so applied for COS. my L1 company asked me to leave to india on april 15th 2009. Right now i am in India. Can I go for stamping immediately and come back to US in Sep 2009 as I have valid L1 visa till sept 2010.

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57 NoName April 28, 2009 at 10:28 AM

I am in the US and currently working on OPT. My case status says “Approval Notice sent”. I was wondering what would be the next step in the procecss?

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58 Irmak April 28, 2009 at 7:40 AM

My OPT expired on the 26th of April. I have been approved for H1B. Can I travel outside the USA until I get the H1B stamping?

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59 haveQuestion April 27, 2009 at 6:27 PM

Whats the earliest I can go for stamping?
If approved / stamped whats the earliest i can enter the country on a H-1b visa?

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60 HSB April 27, 2009 at 10:05 PM

I guess answer to your first question is already in the article above. Second question I have added to the H1B 201 FAQ’s Queue.

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61 Reena September 1, 2009 at 4:58 PM

Hi HSB,

In our last conversation you said you cannot give h1 sponsors employers details in public. I have not applied this year, Iam planning to apply for next year. So can you let me know the list thru private message or something, pls let me knw so that I can provide or vice versa an email id for further communication
would really appreciate if you can give me the list

Cheers
Reena

Reply

62 Natalia May 28, 2009 at 9:11 AM

I have an H3 visa that will expired on July 31 and my H1B starts on Oct 1. I was told that I can get my visa stamped at any time and that I can returned to the USA up to 30 days before Oct 1. Is this correct?
Thank you!

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63 Jon April 27, 2009 at 4:13 AM

Someone said that if you are outside US you cannot go to embassy now, because the H1-B visa is only valid for 3 months. If you visa is issued now, it will be expired before you actually enter US in Sept.

Is it ture?

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64 HSB April 27, 2009 at 10:13 PM

Nope not all all. You have incorrect information. Wait for the answer to in response.

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65 Pian May 6, 2009 at 5:09 AM

Hi HSB,

I have heard the same information as Jon’s. My friend told me that the H1-B visa stamp is only valid for 3 months. Does the three-month period refer to some time before the H-1B start date (Oct. 1st) or the earliest entry date (10 days before the H-1B start date)? My employer asked me to start on Oct. 5. Will this affect my H-1B start date?

I have been working in Wellington, New Zealand for almost two years. My attorney told me to have my visa stamp in New Zealand. But I am not a permanent resident of New Zealand yet. Will this couse any problems? I have resigned my current job and my last day in New Zealand will be July 31. I want to make an oppointment for visa interview on July 10th if the three-month information is correct.

Many thanks for your information and clarification.

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66 A April 26, 2009 at 10:04 PM

What about the people who got the approval and live inside the US (Doing Change of Status)? What’s the next step? Where can we get the stamping?

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67 Tanveer Jat April 28, 2009 at 9:49 AM

I am in a similar situation. I am already on F1 and have an approved H1b for 2010,so how do i go about filing for change of status so that I can avoid the cap gap. My employer filed for consular processing instead of change of status.

Reply

68 houston April 28, 2009 at 1:02 PM

Hi Tanveer Jat,

If you are on F1 and still going to school then your should have filled for a change of status from f1 to h1b.If your employer filled for consular process then you will have to leave the country and come in on h1b visa stamped in your passport and you can enter the country 10 days before the h1b kicks in.If you on f1 and your h1b is approved your SEVIS number in your I-20 might be deactivated,please check with your college DSO, if that is the case then you might be out of Status and you can not be like that for long, as it might cause a delay in your entry to USA.Make sure that your SEVIS number is Active.

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69 Say May 7, 2009 at 5:41 PM

I am in the same situation. Talk to the company attorney, you can apply for an amendment and apply for Change of Status.

Reply

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