How to Schedule Your H-1B Visa Interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in India

Where and how to book your H-1B interview appointment in India

Your H-1B visa interview happens at a U.S. embassy or consulate in India, and you book it through the State Department's online system called Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC). You cannot walk in, call, or email to request an appointment — the system is entirely online and appointment slots fill based on when your case is ready for interview.

The U.S. has four consulates in India: Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, plus an embassy in New Delhi. You choose which location is most convenient for you when you book. The consulate does not assign you a location based on where you live, so if you are closer to Hyderabad but your company is in Mumbai, you can interview in either place.

Appointment availability varies by location and season. Mumbai and Delhi typically have longer wait times than Hyderabad or Kolkata. During peak visa season (May through September), slots can fill weeks or months in advance. If a date you need is not available, you can check back daily — cancellations happen regularly as other applicants reschedule or withdraw.

Key Takeaways

• Book your H-1B interview appointment through the State Department's CEAC website, not through your employer or a visa agency.
• You can only schedule an appointment after your petition is approved by USCIS and your case is transferred to the National Visa Center (NVC).
• The four Indian consulates (Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata) and the New Delhi embassy all conduct H-1B interviews, and you choose which one when you book.
• Appointment slots open in batches and fill quickly during peak season, so check the system regularly if your preferred date is not yet available.
• You will receive a confirmation email with your interview date, time, location, and a list of documents to bring on the day.

What happens before you can book an appointment

Your employer's immigration attorney or HR team files your H-1B petition with USCIS. Once USCIS approves the petition, they send it to the National Visa Center (NVC), which is the State Department office that processes visa cases. This transfer takes a few weeks after approval.

The NVC then sends you an email with an invoice number and instructions to create an account in CEAC. This email is your signal that you can now book an interview. Do not try to book before you receive this email — the system will not let you proceed without an NVC case number.

Your employer or attorney will usually tell you when the petition is approved and when the NVC email arrives. If you are managing the process yourself, you can check your USCIS case status online using your receipt number, and you can contact the NVC directly if you do not receive the email within four weeks of approval.

Steps to book your appointment through CEAC

Go to ceac.state.gov and log in with the account credentials the NVC provided in their email. Select "Immigrant Visa" or "Nonimmigrant Visa" depending on your visa type — H-1B is nonimmigrant. Enter your NVC case number and your passport number.

The system will show you available interview dates at each of the four Indian consulates. Select the location and date that work for you. You will see the time slot assigned to you — you cannot choose a specific time, only the date and location. The system will ask you to confirm your contact information and the address where you want documents mailed after your interview.

After you confirm, the system generates a confirmation page with your appointment details. Print this page or save it as a PDF — you will need to bring it to your interview. You will also receive a confirmation email within a few hours. If you do not receive the email within 24 hours, log back into CEAC and verify that your appointment was recorded.

How far in advance to book and what to do if your date is full

Book as soon as you receive the NVC email and the system allows you to schedule. The earlier you book, the more date options you will have. If you wait, you may find that all dates at your preferred location are booked weeks or months ahead.

If the date you need is not available, check back every day or every few days. Cancellations happen regularly — people reschedule, withdraw their applications, or move to a different consulate. Slots that were full one day often open up within a week. Set a phone reminder to check at the same time each day so you do not forget.

If you need an interview by a specific date for work or visa expiration reasons, contact the consulate directly to explain your situation. Some consulates have emergency or expedited interview processes, though these are not may provide. The consulate's website lists a phone number and email for visa inquiries.

Documents to bring to your interview appointment

Bring your passport (valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay), the appointment confirmation page you printed from CEAC, your visa application form (DS-160, which you complete online before your interview), and a passport-sized photo if the DS-160 system did not generate one for you.

Bring your approved I-797 petition notice from USCIS, your job offer letter, your resume, and any documents showing your qualifications for the role (degrees, certifications, transcripts). Bring your birth certificate and any divorce decrees or marriage certificates if applicable. Bring bank statements or other proof that you can support yourself in the United States.

The consulate's website lists the full document checklist for H-1B applicants. Review it before your appointment and gather everything in one folder. Missing documents can result in a denied interview or a request to reschedule, so do not assume the consulate will accept a partial set.

What to expect on interview day

Arrive at the consulate at least 15 minutes before your appointment time. You will go through security screening — leave large bags, phones, and electronic devices at home or in a locker if the consulate offers one. You will be called to a window where a consular officer will review your documents and ask you questions about your job, your employer, your qualifications, and your plans in the United States.

The interview usually lasts 5 to 15 minutes. The officer may ask why your employer hired you, what your salary is, what you will be doing, or how long you plan to stay. Answer directly and honestly. If you do not understand a question, ask the officer to repeat it. Do not volunteer information beyond what is asked.

At the end of the interview, the officer will tell you whether your visa is approved or denied. If approved, they will tell you when to expect your passport back with the visa stamp. If denied, they will explain the reason. You can ask about next steps, but the decision is final on that day.

After your interview: passport return and next steps

If your visa is approved, the consulate will mail your passport with the visa stamp to the address you provided in CEAC. This usually takes 5 to 10 business days. Track your passport using the reference number the consulate gives you on interview day.

Once you receive your passport with the visa stamp, you can travel to the United States. Your visa is valid for the dates printed on it — usually one year for H-1B, though this varies. You can enter the U.S. any time before the visa expires, and your actual work authorization begins on the start date your employer listed on the petition.

If your visa is denied, you can request another interview, but you will need to address the reason for the denial first. Common reasons include insufficient documentation of your qualifications, concerns about your employer's legitimacy, or questions about whether the job truly requires an H-1B worker. Your employer's attorney can advise you on whether to reapply and what additional documents to gather.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reschedule my appointment if I need a different date?

Yes. Log back into CEAC, cancel your current appointment, and book a new one. Cancellations are processed immediately, and the slot opens up for other applicants. Book your new appointment right away so you do not lose the slot to someone else.

What if I miss my appointment?

Contact the consulate immediately by phone or email to explain. Some consulates will reschedule you for a later date at no extra cost. Others may require you to cancel and rebook through CEAC. Missing an appointment without notice may delay your case, so contact them as soon as you know you cannot attend.

Do I need to go to the consulate in the city where my employer is located?

No. You can interview at any of the four Indian consulates or the embassy in New Delhi, regardless of where your employer is based. Choose based on what is most convenient for you. Your employer does not need to approve your choice of location.

How long does it take to get an appointment after USCIS approves my petition?

The NVC usually sends you the appointment booking email within 2 to 4 weeks of USCIS approval. Once you book, your interview date depends on availability at your chosen consulate — this can be anywhere from a few weeks to several months during peak season.

What if the consulate denies my visa and I want to try again?

You can request another interview through CEAC, but you will need to address the reason for the denial. Work with your employer's immigration attorney to gather additional documents or clarify the issue the consulate raised. You will pay the visa fee again and go through the full interview process a second time.