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SB-1 Visa - DS-260 Number is Required but No Case Number - Going in Circles
We are going in circles with scheduling visa appointment for SB-1 visa.
According to the US Embassy, India, we must write an email to the following email address to schedule an appointment. However, when we write an email, they respond saying, we must schedule a Visa appointment, using USVisaScheduling.Com website. When we try to schedule an appointment, it is asking for DS-260 number. We cannot file a DS-260 without a Case Number. Essentially, we are going in loop. I have contacted the Call center in Mumbai and they are equally puzzled. We do not know how to proceed. Any assistance with this matter is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
See below instructions on the page: https://in.usembassy.gov/visas/immig...resident-visa/
Please email [email protected] Subject: Requesting SB-1 Appointment to request an appointment at the U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai. An appointment is required, and walk-ins will not be seen. You must bring the following documents to the interview:
Please see below the email from the US Visa Service Desk.
"Dear Applicant:
Thank you for writing to the U.S. Visa Service Desk.
We understand that you would like to obtain information regarding permanent resident status.
Under current regulations, a lawful permanent resident (LPR) of the United States (i.e., a person holding a green card) must return to the United States within 364 days of the last departure in order to retain status as a permanent resident. If the person has obtained a re-entry permit (Form I-131), the person must return to the United States within the validity of the re-entry permit in order to retain status as a permanent resident. Re-entry permits cannot be extended, and applications are only accepted in the United States by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. See www.uscis.gov for more information.
An LPR who remains outside the United States for over one year without a valid re-entry permit has jeopardized his/her legal resident status, unless the stay was for reasons beyond the LPR's control.
If such an individual wishes to return to the United States as an LPR, two options exist:
1. Either a relative in the United States files a new immigrant visa petition OR
2. The LPR applies for Returning Resident (SB-1) status and, if approved, an SB-1 immigrant visa.
Interviews to apply for approval as an SB-1 Returning Resident may be scheduled online. In order to apply you will need to log in to http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/en, select “Consular Appointments” and continue to schedule your consular appointment under the SB-1 category. Applicants residing in the consular district covered by the Embassy in New Delhi may interview in New Delhi; all other applicants must interview in Mumbai. Other posts in India do not provide immigrant visa services including SB-1 interviews. If approved for SB-1 status, staff at the Embassy or Consulate will assist with scheduling the final immigrant visa interview.
The applicant must appear with the following documents once scheduled for an appointment at the Consulate or Embassy:
Completed Form DS-117: https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds117.PDF
A valid passport
Two identical 2x2-inch photographs
The SB-1 application fee: either a rupee bank draft drawn on a nationalized or foreign bank, or an international credit card. Current fees for submitting an application for Returning Resident status are at https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...-services.html.
As the Consulate rate of exchange can change, check the current consular rate of exchange at https://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/en/step-3#visa-fees the day prior to the interview. Please note that visa fees are not refundable.
LPR card
Evidence to demonstrate that the applicant is returning to an un-relinquished residence in the United States and that the applicant's protracted stay outside of the United States was for reasons beyond his or her control. If you do not meet this criterion, your application for SB-1 status may be refused.
We hope this information is helpful to you.
Sincerely,
U.S. Visa Service Desk"
According to the US Embassy, India, we must write an email to the following email address to schedule an appointment. However, when we write an email, they respond saying, we must schedule a Visa appointment, using USVisaScheduling.Com website. When we try to schedule an appointment, it is asking for DS-260 number. We cannot file a DS-260 without a Case Number. Essentially, we are going in loop. I have contacted the Call center in Mumbai and they are equally puzzled. We do not know how to proceed. Any assistance with this matter is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
See below instructions on the page: https://in.usembassy.gov/visas/immig...resident-visa/
Please email [email protected] Subject: Requesting SB-1 Appointment to request an appointment at the U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai. An appointment is required, and walk-ins will not be seen. You must bring the following documents to the interview:
Please see below the email from the US Visa Service Desk.
"Dear Applicant:
Thank you for writing to the U.S. Visa Service Desk.
We understand that you would like to obtain information regarding permanent resident status.
Under current regulations, a lawful permanent resident (LPR) of the United States (i.e., a person holding a green card) must return to the United States within 364 days of the last departure in order to retain status as a permanent resident. If the person has obtained a re-entry permit (Form I-131), the person must return to the United States within the validity of the re-entry permit in order to retain status as a permanent resident. Re-entry permits cannot be extended, and applications are only accepted in the United States by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. See www.uscis.gov for more information.
An LPR who remains outside the United States for over one year without a valid re-entry permit has jeopardized his/her legal resident status, unless the stay was for reasons beyond the LPR's control.
If such an individual wishes to return to the United States as an LPR, two options exist:
1. Either a relative in the United States files a new immigrant visa petition OR
2. The LPR applies for Returning Resident (SB-1) status and, if approved, an SB-1 immigrant visa.
Interviews to apply for approval as an SB-1 Returning Resident may be scheduled online. In order to apply you will need to log in to http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/en, select “Consular Appointments” and continue to schedule your consular appointment under the SB-1 category. Applicants residing in the consular district covered by the Embassy in New Delhi may interview in New Delhi; all other applicants must interview in Mumbai. Other posts in India do not provide immigrant visa services including SB-1 interviews. If approved for SB-1 status, staff at the Embassy or Consulate will assist with scheduling the final immigrant visa interview.
The applicant must appear with the following documents once scheduled for an appointment at the Consulate or Embassy:
Completed Form DS-117: https://eforms.state.gov/Forms/ds117.PDF
A valid passport
Two identical 2x2-inch photographs
The SB-1 application fee: either a rupee bank draft drawn on a nationalized or foreign bank, or an international credit card. Current fees for submitting an application for Returning Resident status are at https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...-services.html.
As the Consulate rate of exchange can change, check the current consular rate of exchange at https://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/en/step-3#visa-fees the day prior to the interview. Please note that visa fees are not refundable.
LPR card
Evidence to demonstrate that the applicant is returning to an un-relinquished residence in the United States and that the applicant's protracted stay outside of the United States was for reasons beyond his or her control. If you do not meet this criterion, your application for SB-1 status may be refused.
We hope this information is helpful to you.
Sincerely,
U.S. Visa Service Desk"
