Increase H1B Dropbox Appointments at Indian Consulates
Increase H1B Dropbox Appointments at Indian Consulates
Why this petition matters
H1B Visa is a non immigrant US work visa that allows foreign nationals to legally work and stay in the US temporarily. This visa is usually issued for 3 years and requires an extension after this period.
Every extension requires the visa holders to get a new stamp on their passport from outside of the US (preferably from US Consulates / Embassy in respective home country). The renewal stamping application are usually processed under an Interview Waiver scheme popularly known as the "Dropbox process". The H1B Visa holder can legally stay in the US as long as the extension has been approved, but they can't enter the US on an expired stamp, should they wish to step outside of the US.
Ever since COVID started, the US consulates around the world have shut down / reduced their visa stamping capabilities, which has caused the visa stamping appointments very rare, forcing the H1B Visa holders to stay within the US.
Given that majority of H1B Visas holders staying the US are from India, there is a huge demand for H1B dropbox appointments for US consulates in India and they haven't been able to keep up with it. Thousands of Indian on H1b visa in the US haven't visited their families for years, as they are unable to secure a visa stamping appointment in India.
There are horror stories on this topic everywhere. There are family emergencies, deaths, weddings, financial matters which needs personal presence, split families as one family member is unable to get a visa stamping appointment, the list goes on.....
Its a sincere request on humanitarian grounds to acknowledge this hardship felt by Indian H1b Visa holders in the US and streamline the process to have an easy access to visa stamping.