How soon can/should I book my interview date for H-1B stamping?

[collegian 0]

Hello All,

I am planning to get my H-1B visa stamped in Hyderabad in December 2nd week. How soon can I/should I book my interview date to get my date/time of choice? How many days in advance is the schedule available?

Additional question: Can I modify DS-160 after submitting and scheduling an interview date? Is the modification process different if just submit the form but don't schedule an interview date? Are there any repercussions to modifying the DS-160 form?

Thanks.

[jan22 3,043]

You can't book an appointment without paying the visa application fee and filling out the DS-160. Once you do that, I don't think the DS-160 can be changed. What do you mean by "modify"? What information do you think will change from now until December? I think there are some appointments available that far in the future, but there really isn't a reason to make one so early if your information is going to change. I think a couple of weeks before you want the interview is soon enough, and by then you should know all the information for the DS0160, right?

[collegian 0]

You can't book an appointment without paying the visa application fee and filling out the DS-160. Once you do that, I don't think the DS-160 can be changed. What do you mean by "modify"? What information do you think will change from now until December? I think there are some appointments available that far in the future, but there really isn't a reason to make one so early if your information is going to change. I think a couple of weeks before you want the interview is soon enough, and by then you should know all the information for the DS0160, right?

Thanks for the reply. I was planning to change my residence. Also, salary related information is expected to change.

2 weeks sounds good to me but I wasn't sure if dates/times of my choice would be available at that time or not so I was curious.

[collegian 0]

Also, would you or any one know how do I go about scheduling the interview?

I was directed to this page - https://cgifederal.secure.force.com/?language=English&country=India but as soon as I try to create a new user, I get an error - Your request cannot be processed at this time. The site administrator has been alerted.

I've tried multiple times on different browsers but each time I get the same message. Is there any way to get around this?

[jan22 3,043]

I think that's the old site. India recently changed and you now need two appointments (but can get them within a day of each other if you want). The first one is not at the embassy or consulate, it's an office where they check your DS-160 and take you picture and photograph The second is for the interview with the visa officer. You can't make either appointment, though, until you fill submit the DS-160 and pay the visa application fee.

The Hyderabad consulate, in answer to questions about visas on their Facebook page refer people to www.ustraveldocs.com/in for information on the appointments.

[collegian 0]

I think that's the old site. India recently changed and you now need two appointments (but can get them within a day of each other if you want). The first one is not at the embassy or consulate, it's an office where they check your DS-160 and take you picture and photograph The second is for the interview with the visa officer. You can't make either appointment, though, until you fill submit the DS-160 and pay the visa application fee.

The Hyderabad consulate, in answer to questions about visas on their Facebook page refer people to www.ustraveldocs.com/in for information on the appointments.

Thanks for the information, appreciate it.