Need Schengen visa - expired stamped H1-B visa and valid I-797

[tsb]

I am a Indian citizen living in USA on valid H1-B visa. My passport is stamped with my previous H1B visa which expires in September of 2013. I have approved current h1 B visa from my current employer and I-797 form. I am planning to go to India this December to stamp my new valid h1b visa and while coming back I plan to stopover in Paris and Rome for tourism.

From the consulate website it says I have to apply for France visa in the country which I live thats USA. It also says that to apply for France visa I need to have a valid USA visa( see below) .
"A U.S. permanent residence card ("green card") or a valid US visa with valid I-94 / valid I-20, or an Advance Parole document. Those documents have to be valid for at least three months after the last day of your stay in the Schengen area. We do NOT accept applications from B1/B2 visa holders. They must apply in their country of residence."

Below are my questions:
1. Can I still apply for my France visa (Schengen visa) in USA or I have to apply in India when I go back in December, first get my US visa stamped and then get France/Italian visa in Mumbai.

2. What is the processing time for France visa in Mumbai?
3. What is the processing time for Italian visa in Mumbai?

Thanks for your help in advance.

[sudharsanb]

Hi,

Do we have any additional info on this? I have similar situation and would like to know what worked good.

Thanks in advance.

Sudharsan

[Peter Gabriel]

If you apply through French Embassy in India then as per their norms you have to apply for France visa (Schengen visa) in USA, where you reside but if you apply through Belgium Embassy in India then as per their rules you can get visa here for France.
It will take around 15 working days time to get your France visa (Schengen visa) approval.