H-1B visa renewal at the London embassy

01-08-2004, 06:24 PM

Hi there,

Does anyone know how long it is taking for the American Embassy in
London to renew H-1B visas. My current I-797 is valid until 2005 so I am
not expecting any problems that might delay it but I have no idea how
long I will need to wait after submitting all my info. when I am next in
the UK. I have been discouraged from trying to renew it from within the
US as I have been told it can take several months. Has anyone else tried
it this way, how long did it take?

Thanks for any help you can give me on the above questions

Cheers

Colin

__________________
Posted via http://britishexpats.com

01-09-2004, 08:42 AM

"Garvie" <member19698@british_expats.com> wrote in message
news:...
    > Does anyone know how long it is taking for the American Embassy in
    > London to renew H-1B visas. My current I-797 is valid until 2005 so I am
    > not expecting any problems that might delay it but I have no idea how
    > long I will need to wait after submitting all my info. when I am next in
    > the UK. I have been discouraged from trying to renew it from within the
    > US as I have been told it can take several months. Has anyone else tried
    > it this way, how long did it take?

Most of the information you want is on the Embassy web site at
http://www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_web/visa/niv/happ.htm

You (or someone else) can book you an interview at the Consulate -
last I heard, interviews were about 4 weeks minimum after you call.
It then takes about 10 working days plus postage time after the
interview to get the passport back.

Alternatively, you can renew it by mail from within the UK. This
takes a minimum of 20 working days plus postage in each direction.

There's always a risk of its taking a lot longer if something
about the application attracts special attention.

Renewal within the USA seems to be taking 3 to 4 months at the
moment.