Hi Guru,
Originally from India, I have been in US since 3 and half years by now. I completed my master’s degree in Public Health (Major in Epidemiology) from Aug 2003 to July 2005. My OPT was from Aug 2005 to Aug 2006. My earlier F1 visa stamping expired in July 2006. I am now working in a non-profit organization (Medical Research Institute) dealing with computer as a data analysis person on H1 status since Aug 2006 which will expire in Aug 2007. I am planning to go for a vacation to India in mid April 2007 and return by May first week. Before that, I will have to go for H1 visa stamping to return back to US. I want to get it done from New Delhi, India, on the day when I arrive there from US. My question to you is that:
1) Is New Delhi, India (Home country) a fine place to get my H1 visa stamping done for the first time? Or is Mexico/Canada a better option it terms of getting it faster and safe.
Is April a good time to apply for H1 visa stamping interview in New Delhi?
2) Since I am working at a ‘Medical Research Institute’ and dealing with analysis of epidemiologic genetic data on computer, is it a risk to be categorized in security alert as going on recently at US embassies? Though I do not deal with any laboratory/biochemical work, I am worried about being on a techno alert because of dealing with computer and research. I have heard of people getting stuck in Canada and Mexico. Is it a risk while applying for visa stamping? How much of it is a risk and how much is the normal time to be expected for getting security check done in New Delhi before I can return to US?
3) As I already told you that my H1 will expire in Aug 2007, how much of minimum time should H1 status be there after H1 visa stamping interview date (In my case interview date might be somewhere in mid April)? I mean if there are 3 months left before H1 expires is it a risk to arise any questions on return to US while my job is still valid?
4) I am going on vacation for 24 days. Is that too long a time for vacation to arise any questions at the consulate during H1 visa stamping interview.
I will greatly appreciate if Guru could respond to these questions ASAP.
Thanks for all your help!
Originally from India, I have been in US since 3 and half years by now. I completed my master’s degree in Public Health (Major in Epidemiology) from Aug 2003 to July 2005. My OPT was from Aug 2005 to Aug 2006. My earlier F1 visa stamping expired in July 2006. I am now working in a non-profit organization (Medical Research Institute) dealing with computer as a data analysis person on H1 status since Aug 2006 which will expire in Aug 2007. I am planning to go for a vacation to India in mid April 2007 and return by May first week. Before that, I will have to go for H1 visa stamping to return back to US. I want to get it done from New Delhi, India, on the day when I arrive there from US. My question to you is that:
1) Is New Delhi, India (Home country) a fine place to get my H1 visa stamping done for the first time? Or is Mexico/Canada a better option it terms of getting it faster and safe.
Is April a good time to apply for H1 visa stamping interview in New Delhi?
2) Since I am working at a ‘Medical Research Institute’ and dealing with analysis of epidemiologic genetic data on computer, is it a risk to be categorized in security alert as going on recently at US embassies? Though I do not deal with any laboratory/biochemical work, I am worried about being on a techno alert because of dealing with computer and research. I have heard of people getting stuck in Canada and Mexico. Is it a risk while applying for visa stamping? How much of it is a risk and how much is the normal time to be expected for getting security check done in New Delhi before I can return to US?
3) As I already told you that my H1 will expire in Aug 2007, how much of minimum time should H1 status be there after H1 visa stamping interview date (In my case interview date might be somewhere in mid April)? I mean if there are 3 months left before H1 expires is it a risk to arise any questions on return to US while my job is still valid?
4) I am going on vacation for 24 days. Is that too long a time for vacation to arise any questions at the consulate during H1 visa stamping interview.
I will greatly appreciate if Guru could respond to these questions ASAP.
Thanks for all your help!