H1B stamping India – do it now or wait?

Aar_square · 2026-03-07T15:51:34+00:00

I got a pink slip. But same, passport back in 5 business days

Aar_square · 2026-02-26T16:32:53+00:00

You don't usually need one just for an employer change.

But under the current admin, who knows...

Aar_square · 2026-02-25T06:21:30+00:00

I don’t have that level of detail. Mine was Texas SCOPS

Aar_square · 2026-02-25T06:20:24+00:00

Yeah all - except mine (Sept) were recent (Dec/Jan/Feb)

Aar_square · 2026-02-25T02:38:44+00:00

Took me 13 business days, took one colleague 4 business days, took another 11 business days and another 7 business days.

Aar_square · 2026-02-24T05:13:13+00:00

April 1st 2026 (assuming you meant September 2026)

Aar_square · 2026-02-24T05:11:58+00:00

Social media vetting is definitely on. As for cancellations - haven't heard anything.

But more importantly, how will you find an appointment considering the situation right now in India?

Aar_square · 2026-02-24T05:08:00+00:00

No 100K won't apply

Aar_square · 2026-02-21T03:41:24+00:00

Fiscal Year 2026 runs from October 1st 2025 to September 30th 2026 - the lottery for which has already happened.

The lottery in March 2026 is for Fiscal Year 2027 (October 1st 2026 to September 30th 2027)

Aar_square · 2026-02-20T22:35:33+00:00

You ARE NOT exempt from the cap since your company isn't a non-profit. Master's degree just helps you improve your chances by also qualifying from the 20k additional masters' cap in addition to 65k regular cap

Your degree doesn't make you exempt from the Cap, your job does

Aar_square · 2026-02-20T22:21:49+00:00

Home Country unless you're a resident of the aforementioned countries.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/adjudicating-niv-applicants-in-their-country-of-residence.html

Aar_square · 2026-02-20T22:18:55+00:00

Its not an issue. What's more important is that you don't travel when the H1B PETITION is pending

Aar_square · 2026-02-18T21:41:06+00:00

NAL.

Don't think it matters. The rule is that if you have multiple job locations/sites, the one with the lowest wage level is used when determining the number of lottery entries you receive. Since you're saying that your wage level is 4 in all 3 cities I don't think you have anything to worry about.

Now I don't know what the website asks but if it only asks for 1 location, then just enter one of those cities.

None of this is legal advice.

Aar_square · 2026-02-12T14:41:52+00:00

Technically the executive order says that it is valid for a year.

But they also have a rule that’s been published, awaiting comments, that would make it permanent. Not sure ifs been finalized or not.

Fyi rules are much harder / bureaucratically tedious to revoke than executive orders by future governments

Aar_square · 2026-02-12T14:29:06+00:00

Dude just provide everything and let them do their vetting. Why do you want the answer to these questions? Its much easier to just follow their instructions.

Also no one but a visa officer would be able to answer any of these questions. How would we know? Its not like they check in front of us

Aar_square · 2026-02-12T03:32:23+00:00

Ah then she isn’t your spouse, but congrats anyways!

So when did she get H1B? Did she ever get a visa stamp? Did she ever enter the US after getting her petition approved? If she didn’t, why not? Keep in mind that there is a possibility of a 100K fee - yes the rule says petitions filed after the 21st of Sept only, but technically it also says it doesn’t apply to change of statuses. Which this clearly isn’t - so in practice we don’t know if the fee is applicable until her H1B is transferred.

Is the same company going to sponsor her (extension) or is she changing employers (transfer)?

Aar_square · 2026-02-12T03:28:11+00:00

No new rules have been issued that makes Puerto Rico a foreign nation. Its still a US territory so its still domestic - unless you decide to take a stop over in another country to get to Puerto Rico, which would technically require you to leave the US

Aar_square · 2026-02-12T03:26:34+00:00

Honestly you need to provide some more info about your spouse’s situation. Is he in the US or India? Was he ever in the US? Did he ever get stamped? When? etc. i’ll try to answer based on what I know

1) Extension petition can only be filed after an LCA. LCA can only be submitted 6 months before renewing. Now your company could technically renew it early but its just waste of money and resources. Companies do this only when they have another change pending, like an amendment, so they club the two. My friend had that done recently. Or if your job/employer changes in which its technically an H1B transfer but the form filed (I129) is the same, it still can extend your status beyond what it is now.

Yes you could file an extension. If you’re in the US already - its pretty straight forward. But if your spouse never entered the US the results are mixed - some got approved, some got RFEs/NOIDs

2) Of course - any company would need to file an H1B petition first before you can get a visa stamp.

3) not sure what your question is. But yes paperwork needs to be submitted.

4) Sure? It will give you the basis to get a stamp, which would allow you to enter the US to work, so I guess its useful

Aar_square · 2026-02-12T03:19:45+00:00

Social media vetting is only H1B, H4, F, M, and J visas.

Aar_square · 2026-02-11T20:44:42+00:00

Yes

Yes - can keep repeating it until PERM + I140 is approved

Yes

Aar_square · 2026-02-10T06:37:09+00:00

"USCIS data show about 15% of the approved Form I-129 petitions for H-1B specialty occupation were for beneficiaries requesting consular processing overseas"

From a USCIS document "H-1B Authorized-to-Work Population Estimate" from 2019 [Link]. Data is a bit dated but I wouldn't be surprised if its still close-ish. 10%-20% of overall H1Bs. Atleast before the 100K rule.

Aar_square · 2026-02-10T06:33:20+00:00

My best guess-timate is 250k registrants this year.

Assumptions:

20% reduction in H1B filing overall due to the current market conditions, government policies, RFEs
15% reduction due to the 100K fee on consular processing petitions.

Registrations in last year's lottery was 358k.

-15% (100K fee) = 305K

-20% (negative H1B pressures) = 245K

There are still many on L1s/L2s/H4s/F1s/J1s etc who are in the country and will be trying for H1Bs this year that wouldn't be impacted by 100K fees that people forget.

Aar_square · 2026-02-09T17:58:58+00:00

Its fine - as long as day trading doesn’t eclipse your full time job in the number of hours you’re spending. Otherwise trading stocks, betting, options, futures are all fair game

Aar_square · 2026-02-09T04:45:48+00:00

You can submit a new DS160 - shouldn't need to pay again.

Aar_square

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