applying for visa stamping in a third country [closed]

I am an Indian national working in USA on a H1B visa. I need to visit Belgium for business purpose but since this will be my first time getting out of the country after getting the H1B approved, I need to get the visa stamped on my passport while in Belgium, in order to be able to re-enter USA after my work trip is done. (The other option is to go to my home country, India, get it done and then come back to Belgium but that option is too time taking for my employer).

So I would like to get it stamped at the American embassy in Belgium. Can someone let me know if this is an option and I can indeed apply for stamping at the American consulate in Belgium.Thank you.

h1b-visas

Best Answer

Yes, it is an option. People with valid status but without a valid visa routinely travel from the US to Mexico or Canada to get new visas. The trick is to make sure you're planning to be in Belgium for a long enough time to get the visa issued. If you're near a US consulate in Canada or Mexico, it might be worth comparing the processing times, since such applications will be more common in Canada and Mexico than in Belgium. But doing it in Belgium is definitely an option.

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Can you apply for a visa in a third country?

Although it might be more difficult to qualify for a nonimmigrant visa when you are already outside of your home country, applying at a third-country consulate can be convenient if you're traveling or living outside your home country and want to travel to the United States.

Can I apply for a visa while in another country?

Can I apply for a visitor visa at the local visa office? If you are applying on paper we recommend that you apply for a visa from your home country. However, if you are legally admitted to the country you are currently in, you can apply at your nearest visa application centre (VAC).

Are consulates open for visa stamping?

The lifting of travel ban to US does not mean that you can get an appointment to get visa stamping. There is no change in the situation in terms of how consulates operate. They are still operating in a limited fashion with limited appointments.

Can I schedule visa interview in another country?

You can schedule US visa appointment anywhere in the world. If you are traveling and would need to schedule your US visa interview appointment in a third country, you can very well do so. It is not mandatory to schedule your appointment in the same location as in your DS-160.

ARGO: Can you apply for your U.S. visa outside of your home country? | Third Country National (TCN)

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