Hello Sajha Community,

My H1B recently got approved and I had a few questions regarding the H1B visa stamping process. As I need to take an extended break from work, I want to be certain I understand everything before planning my trip to Nepal.

Can you please tell me what the current H1B visa stamping process is like in Nepal? Can you give me an idea of how long the process will take? I heard the in-person interview is no longer required for 2022. Is that still the case? Is there anything else I should know?

I really appreciate your time helping answer my question!

i dont know if nepal qualifies for drop box so you might need to attend in person interview . india definitely qualifies for drop box but not sure about Nepal . one thing is sure that you might have to face administrative processing which might delay your visa approval . normally 1 week to few months . administrative processing is simply a background check which takes 7 days for some and months for others.

few weeks back some of us went to Mexico for first time h1b visa stamp . process was smooth, passport returned in 3 days . i did not participate in the process as im a GC . to my knowledge my advise would be if you are going nepal, dont plan for 2 weeks visit . make at least a month vacation and be prepare if your process gets a bit long . i don't know how they chose people for detail background check because they don't disclose . once your passport gets in admin processing there is no choice but wait .

Hello EDV2023 👋

Thanks for the reply. Can you tell me more about getting the h1b visa stamp in Mexico? Where is this located in Mexico?

I have heard it's generally recommended to get your visa stamp in your home country. Was told that getting visa stamp in other country involves more risk and processes. Is that no longer the case?

brother, doesn't necessarily has to be a home country to stamp h1 visa . you can do anywhere in the US consulate outside US . people prefer to go Canada to stamp h1b but canada is already booked for 4 months . these days people go Mexico specially Indian Chinese because they cant get appointment in their country for 6 months . you can simply drive to Mexico if that's feasible .

so many employees, due to security reasons cannot simply go back to their home country to get stamped . I think US embassies are aware of this fact so they try to help you as much as they can . but if you have long vacation its better to go nepal, meet friends and families . the output of your visa outcome will be the same no matter nepal or any other embassies . but people say the processing time will definitely be faster in Mexico because you will explain them you are tourist there and you have to return US Asap

mexico is cheap compared to canada but one real problem is you cannot pay the visa fee ( i thik DS 160 or something ) from US . you have to pay in local currency and agent will do that but they charge 100 dollars each but for canada i think we can pay from the US

I did my H1B stamping in South America some years ago and paid by USD from USA. If you get an appointment, try to schedule a trip 1-2 weeks to that country and get it stamped. It is pretty straightforward unless you have really bad luck.

westcoast, where in south america did u go can u explain . Mexico is reasonably cheap convenient and smooth process but embassy there dont accept payment from US . u have to hire an agent just to pay appointment fee.

Hi again EDV2023,

I am seriously considering going to Mexico to get my visa stamped. Just want to understand, if I get the DS-160 form filled out and the fees paid, will I get to choose what date the visa interview will take place? Or does the US embassy choose and provide you with the date?

Contact your employers attorney regarding this!!! Dont trust random manche ko bhanai!! I was in a similar situation and i asked my attorney if I should go to Mexico but the attorney recommended that i shouldnt.