Today’s topic: H1B Visa Stamping in USA!
The stamping of H1B visas in USA has seen tremendous changes towards the end of 2025, which has raised several alarms for many professionals concerning their travel and work visas.
Some say that there has been a degree of convenience when it comes to renewing citizen visas within USA.
But, latest announcements and updates in government consulates have turned everything upside down when it comes to handling the foil of your passport (Visa Foil or Machine-Readable Foil (MRV). Let’s understand why this information is vital for you.
In this article, we will brush up on these topics concerning the H1b Visa Stamping in USA.
- Domestic vs. Consular: The Status of In-Country Stamping Programs Today._
- The $100,000 Fee: Which new applicants are impacted by the September 2025 proclamation.
- Mass Rescheduling: Why India Consulates’ Interviews Have Been Postponed Until Mid-2026
- Social Media Vetting: New rules on the requirement for an individual to have a presence on social media sites when applying for a visa.
H1B Visa Stamping In USA Latest Update – December 2025
One of the top pieces of news regarding H1b Visa Stamping in USA is the dramatic changeover regarding the case capacity of the consulate. As of December 15, 2025, the USA consulates in India have already started rescheduling all their H1B/L1, as well as their H4 visas. The originally scheduled interviews that were set for late 2025 have already been rescheduled for March or April of 2026, according to Morgan Lewis.
Waiver Of “Third-Country Stamping”
For several years, many individuals with an H1B visa went to Mexico or Canada simply because the waiting line at the U.S. Embassy was too long. The U.S. State Department has effectively put an end to “forum shopping” in this situation.
Now, with very few exceptions, it is necessary for all individuals seeking a visa that they be interviewed within their land of nationality or residence. This simply adds more issues for the global traveller.
Separate Guidelines For Social Media Vetting Tools Regarding H1b Visa Stamping In USA
One of the reasons for the recent delays is the “Online Presence Review.” The State Department asks petitioners seeking an H1B visa or H4 visas to make their social networking profiles “public” so that identity verification can be easily done. With this new, more rigorous screening process, the number of interviews conducted per day had to be reduced, resulting in the current huge number of backlogs.
H1b Visa Stamping In USA – The Current Scenario
Is there still a possible way for you to have your H1b Visa Stamping in USA without going out of the country? Of course, the answer is a little complicated. In fact, the home re-validation pilot scheme, where citizens of India and Canada were permitted to have the renewal of the stamps of the usa, is now ended.
Is the Pilot Program Still Active?
Even though we were successful, H1b Visa Stamping in USA is not open to new applications. The vast majority of H1B Visa individuals will need to travel to a United States Embassy or Consulate in another country for a new stamp to re-enter. If already within the U.S. with an old stamp, one may remain and maintain employment, though one is not able to re-enter with merely a stamp within one’s passport.
The $100,000 New Petition Fee
Since September 2025, there is now an additional Presidential Proclamation requiring an unbelievable $100,000 fee in certain new H1B visa applications.
Nonetheless, this rule is not applicable for those with existing H1B status seeking renewal or those who already filed their petitions prior to September 21, 2025.
If it is only a new stamp of approval with respect to an already approved status, then this rule is not applicable (USCIS).
Revised H1b Visa Stamping In USA Requirements
When traveling to the USA when the objective is to get the, the following are the guidelines to follow if you do not have an alternative but to travel for the process:
1. DS-160
The DS-160 Online Non-Immigrant Visa Application is the first, and most important document you should have. It is essential to check this document to make sure all the information corresponds with data from your I 797 Approval Notice. Otherwise, there might be an issue with 221(g) hold.
2. Payment Of The MRV Fee
Machine Readable Visa fee needs to be deposited before you can check out the list of appointments. It is important to remember at this stage that rates of exchange, till the end of 2025, are modified for these fees in Indian rupees (Source: U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India).
3. Schedule Biometrics And Interview
There has to be two appointments-
- fingerprints at any Visa Application Center (VAC)
- interview taken at the consulate.
Remember that Biometric appointments may stay valid even in cases when one’s consular appointments are rescheduled.
Documents You’ll Need for Your Appointment
It is always important that you have a ‘ready set’ if you are going for an interview for the H1B visa stamping in USA. So, what is this ready set?
It is an array of documents that you need to have with you. Here’s the list for your convenience.
- First: passport with necessary visas and copies of I-797A/B Approval Notice.
- Employment Verification: Recent employment verification letter and last three months’ worth of pay stubs.
- Tax Records: Copies of W-2s and Form 1040
- Education: Original certificates and transcripts.
- Social Media Handles: Be prepared with a list containing all the social media platforms that you have used in the past five years.
Avoiding Section 221(g) And Administrative
Many fear the yellow slip or a 221(g) notice. It is a sign that your visa is not denied, nor is it accepted. It is often interpreted to mean that the government needs longer to vet your paperwork.
Circumstances that may lead to the application of section 221(g)
- Unmatched Job Responsibilities: When the job responsibilities from the interview fail to match the description of the job from the LCA.
- Technical Background: Applicants for Sensitive Science/Technology may need Security Advisory Opinions.
- Inconsistent Online Data: If you have multiple job titles on LinkedIn, you can expect delays since the job title mentioned in the LinkedIn account and the visa petition need to be the same.
Read Also: What Is Visa Provisioning Service? Complete Guide To Card Security
Waiting Time H1B Visa Stamping In USA By Country
Waiting times for someone to obtain an H1B visa stamping in USA are country-wise. While there is a chance of openings within a couple of weeks if you are applying from a European visa consulate, openings in the Asian countries are in short supply.
India
Currently, the toughest region. Delays of more than 100 days are expected to attend interviews in New Delhi and Mumbai. Even the posting time of few slots is expected to be shifted backward till the Summer of 2026.
Canada
Canadians! It is always a favorite destination where you can apply. Slots are limited, though.
Mexico
Limited availability for TCN (Third Country National) renewals. Most posts prioritize their own nationals.
Read Also: E-2 Visa: Investor Visa USA Guide, Requirements, And More
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
At this moment, H1B visa stamping in the USA is more uncertain than at any time in the last several decades. Unless it is a life-or-death emergency, don’t leave the U.S. if you plan to return because you need a visa or visa stamp.
If you are residing in India and have rescheduled your date to March or April of 2026, you very well might end up stranded. Immigration attorneys do not advise international travel in these circumstances. Thus, if you are stranded, you have to apply for an ‘Expedited Appointment’ based on business purposes, although highly improbable.
This is from new filings from September 21st, 2025, onwards. If your case is impacted by this rule, payment is expected from the employer’s side. However, some professionals agree that the impact is expected to reduce H1B visas offered through next year’s lottery process.
This is not likely because, as long as the stamp in your passport is still in effect (determined by the ‘Expiry Date’ stamp on the gold foil stamp), you can still enter the country even after changing work. All you need is the I-797 Approval Notice from your new company, which you can submit to immigration upon entering the country. In this process, H1B visa stamping in US is not expected at the time of changing employment.
