Visa appointment

[akila]

I am trying to schedule an appointment with US Consulate Chennai. There is a question:

Are you applying for the same class of visa which is currently valid or has expired within the past 12 months?*

When I clicked the Visa Renewal Criteria link which is next to this question I found the following info:


Visa renewal appointments are available to visa applicants who:
Have the same class of U.S. visa which is still valid or that has expired less than 12 months from the scheduled date of interview.
Wish to apply for the same visa class (e.g. had an H1 work visa, now applying again for an H1 work visa)
Are Indian nationals (hold Indian passports)
Are resident in the New Delhi, Chennai, or Mumbai consular districts (this category is not available to Kolkata based applicants).

The following applicants do NOT qualify for appointments in the visa renewal category:
Applicants who have never had a US visa.
Applicants who have a U.S. visa that expired more than 12 months ago.
Applicants applying for a different visa class (e.g. had a F1 student visa, now applying for a H1 work visa).
Non Indian passport holders
Applicants applying at the U.S. Consulate in Kolkata.
First time H4 or L2 applicants over 18 years of age. (If you have recently married an H1b or L1 visa holder but have never had a visa interview for an H4 visa or L2 visa, you may not schedule in the renewal category.)
Applicants applying for more than one visa at the same time (e.g. F and B1/B2).
Applicants applying for entertainment/performance visas(P3 category).
Applicants applying for unskilled worker visas (H2b category).
Applicants who have lost their previous passports that had the valid / expired US visa.

All visa renewal applicants should bring the following documents to the Embassy/Consulate Consular Section on the day of their appointment:
Current, valid passport
Passports containing previously issued U.S. visas
As applicable, I-797 (H and L), I-20 (F & M students), DS-2019 (J visa applicants)




I am Indian passport holder and entered US with H1B Visa and still in H1B for the 8 th year. My I797 Approval notice is valid until Sep 2009. H1B Visa stamped my passport expired on Aug 2006.

Under the Visa renewal qualifying categroy it is said that

Wish to apply for the same visa class (e.g. had an H1 work visa, now applying again for an H1 work visa)

Under Visa renewal Not qualifying category it is said that:

Applicants who have a U.S. visa that expired more than 12 months ago


What should be the answer to this question?
Are you applying for the same class of visa which is currently valid or has expired within the past 12 months?*

Yes or NO?


I think the answer should be YES. But little bit confused.
Any help is appreciated?
Thanks
Akil

[txh1b]

If your H1 expired more than 12 months ago, it will be a No. It is just a minor difference in the number of appointments available between the yes/no answers to this question.

[akila]

I am Indian passport holder and entered US with H1B Visa and still in H1B status for the 8 th year. My I797 Approval notice is valid until Sep 2009. H1B Visa stamped my passport expired on Aug 2006.


H1 you meant is the the visa stamping in the passport or the I797 Approval notice? Thanks for your reply. I really appreciate your help.
Thanks
Akil

[txh1b]

It is the visa stamping.

[bepu]

Visa Renewal Category question from H1B Visa

For applying non-Immigrant visa, there was a question "Are you applying for the same class of visa which is currently valid or has expired within the past 12 months?" . For which I need to select either options" Yes" or "No".

My H1B visa expired on 30 Sept 2007
I had selected "YES" and I already taken the visa appointment date on 17th Oct 2008 (more than 12 months). This is because, I had taken appoinment on 20th Sept 2008 (Less than 12 months)

Do I fall under Visa renewal category?

When I check visa renewal category guidelines, The following applicants do NOT qualify for appointments in the visa renewal category: "Applicants who have a U.S. visa that expired more than 12 months ago."

Will I be in trouble in getting visa stamp?

Thanks in advance!

[kiran2k]

URGENT: i94 expired but valid H4 visa. what shud b my answer?

Should I select yes or no to below qstn while scheduling appointment at VFS in mumbai
"Are you applying for the same class of visa which is currently valid or has expired within the past 12 months?"

I cant re-enter US on the same H4 visa and so applying for a new H4 again. so dont know what i should select for above qstn.

Please Help asap i am confused...
Thanks for your help.
kiran

[abhayg4]

Hi Kiran,

I am sorry - but little bit confused - Your subject Line says that "I-94 Expired but Valid H4 Visa"

And then you are saying that you CANNOT re-enter US on the same H4 Visa.
If your H4 Visa is still Valid - then you CAN re-enter US on the Visa.

If it is about to expire and you are applying for new one - then answer should be YES. As the question itself clearly implies.

--Abhay
=========================
Senior Members , Please confirm

[txh1b]

I think he is talking about a visa that is considered void if one exceeds stay in US past the I-94 date.

[welcomehome]

H4 Approval expired more than a year ago- Need new H4 Stamping

Hello Guys,

I have a question. My wife's H4 approval expired more than a year ago and currently she is on AOS status. I was trying to get H4 Visa stamped for my wife in Mumbai US consulate with my recent H1 renewal approval notice. But when I tried to take a appointment is asked if "Are you applying for the same class of visa which is currently valid or has expired within the past 12 months". The answer I am assuming is no and I think this disqualifies her from applying for renewal as per their terms as below:-

The following applicants do NOT qualify for appointments in the visa renewal category:

1. Applicants who have never had a US visa.
2. Applicants who have a U.S. visa that expired more than 12 months ago.

What am I supposed to do? How do I get my wife's H4 visa stamped on her passport from India?

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Nil

[manahul]

H1B Visa Renewal

I am currently in US on H1b VIsa.

My Visa Expired on Apr-25th-2008

I have valid I-797.

I have taken the VISA appointment in Mumbai Consulate for 2nd week of Nov-09 and i have already submitted my application ti VISA Application center.

While filing the application, i have selected the option "YES" for the question :-
Are you applying for the same class of visa which is currently valid or has expired within the past 12 months?*

I am not sure if i have entered the correct answer ?

If my response was not correct can i change it ?

Can you please suggest what i can do ... i have already submitted my application ?

[pranitha]

Should I answer 'YES' or 'NO'

Hi,

I am in US since Aug 2006. I came on F1 and I got my H1 in 2008.
currently I am working on my H1, staying in US. I haven't been to India since I came here to USA.

I would like to travel to India next month. I was looking for the earliest appointment dates to get my visa stamping. I was stuck at one question.
The question is:

Are you applying for the same class of visa which is currently valid or has expired within the past 12 months?

I am thinking my answer is 'YES'.

Can anyone please let me know if I am right or wrong?

Thanks,
Pranitha.

[sk4ih]

You never had visa, and how can you say Yes for question 'Are you applying for same class of visa...'?
Answer is clear NO.

[pranitha]

Thanks Sk4ih.......

Thanks for clearing my doubt.

[Sach]

Interview Date

How long does for the option to selct interview date visible after submitting DS 160 and application fee? I have submitted the information about 6 hours ago and still cannot choose the date on the VFS website.

I am looking for a date in new delhi for Jul 12th and I am concerned if I will get the date.

[sk4ih]

Choosing date has nothing to do with DS-160 form submission.

Read the information on the pages properly.
First you will only be able to see the available dates. If you're okay, then you can continue and enter all information about HDFC receipts etc, and then you can choose dates.