Scheduling Visa appointment with I-797C(Receipt) instead of actual approved I-797?

[balajimk22]

Hi

I have filed for H1 extension and am still waiting for approval. I'm planning to go to India next month and am hoping that I would get the approval before then.

I started looking at Visa appointment dates and my question is can I book a Visa appointment using the Receipt Number from the receipt notice or should we have an approved I-797 before booking a Visa appointment? I am guessing that while we need an approved 797 for the ACTUAL visa interview, we could still book the appointment with the receipt number, Please let me know. Can we update the petition dates once we get the approved I-797 without having to reschedule or cancel the existing appointment?

Anyone with similar experiences will also be very helpful

[Star2008]

You should be able to schedule visa interview appointment based on the application receipt number, you'll need that number to fill your DS-160 form.
And yes, you need approved I-797 for the actual interview. You may not be able to edit DS-160 once submitted, and it does not ask for petition dates either.
I just submitted my form today and hoping to get an appointment for December (93 calendar days waiting period in Mumbai)

[williamwill]

I too found myself in a similar situation waiting for an H1 extension. Regarding your question, in my experience, you can book a visa interview using the receipt number. This allows you to plan, although you will need an approved I-797 for the interview itself. Regarding updating the petition dates after receiving approval without having to cancel or reschedule the appointment, I would recommend checking directly with the consular section as the rules can change.

[alexcray]

Hi

I have filed for H1 extension and am still waiting for approval. I'm planning to go to India next month and am hoping that I would get the approval before then.

I started looking at Visa appointment dates and my question is can I book a Visa appointment using the Receipt Number from the receipt notice or should we have an approved I-797 before booking a Visa appointment? I am guessing that while we need an approved 797 for the ACTUAL visa interview, we could still book the appointment with the receipt number, Please let me know. Can we update the petition dates once we get the approved I-797 without having to reschedule or cancel the existing appointment?

Anyone with similar experiences will also be very helpful

The approved I-797, also known as the Notice of Action, is the official document confirming your visa approval. It includes details like your visa type, validity period, and any specific instructions related to your application. This document is crucial for attending your visa interview.